The Las Vegas Raiders have a decision to make before the first week of the season. Making Klint Kubiak the new head coach and drafting Fernando Mendoza has possibly given them a long runway for the future.
But the team also wants to be patient in the rookie’s development, thereby signing Kirk Cousins as a veteran presence who can shoulder some of the burden. However, with the team inclining towards giving him the starting role for the time being, fans aren’t sure how to feel about it.
Kirk Cousins On Track to Start Over Fernando Mendoza
CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that “the Raiders are expected to name Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback.”
The team is taking a slower timeline to assimilate Mendoza into the NFL game. Given his wealth of experience, it could be a necessary choice despite the first overall pick’s startling resume.
Coming to Indiana for his final collegiate season, he led them to the national championship while also winning the Heisman Trophy. But the NFL is a different beast for the rookie to tackle.
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As a result, a lot of folks understood the Raiders’ mindset, with Ted Nguyen of The Athletic revealing that this had been the plan all along. “This was decided before Mendoza was drafted.”
This was decided before Mendoza was drafted 🤫 https://t.co/nld0wVpOCo
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) August 29, 2026
One fan, though, used it as an opportunity to call out ESPN, claiming, “And the ‘analysts’ at ESPN will use this against Mendoza when we all knew this was the plan from day 1.”
The general feeling was one of inevitability, as one fan claimed, “Least surprising move.”
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For some, there was even a timeline that they had in mind for when the Raiders could finally bring in Mendoza to usher in a new era. One fan wrote, “Not surprising. We ride with him until the bye week.”
Some even believed it was the smart choice for the youngster’s career, as Marcus Whitman, better known as “That Franchise Guy” on YouTube, thought it could help bring out the best in the rookie.
“I respect the Raiders’ efforts to be patient with Mendoza, especially when the team is clearly in ‘figure itself out’ mode,” Whitman said. “Hitting on a QB isn’t a perfect science, but I think this can only help your chances.”
I respect the Raiders efforts to be patient with Mendoza, especially when the team is clearly in “figure itself out” mode.
Hitting on a QB isn’t a perfect science but I think this can only help your chances. https://t.co/0r7ZnWA5eQ
— Marcus Whitman (@TFG_Football) August 29, 2026
However, for some sections of the Raiders faithful, the move wasn’t the right idea. Rather than go with Cousins after two disappointing seasons from the veteran, they wanted the new beginning that drafting Mendoza promised.
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One fan was brutal in his takedown of the decision, claiming, “Every game and day he starts over Mendoza is a waste of time for that entire org.” Others, too, wanted this situation to be over quickly, as they prayed, “I hope not for long.”
Over the last two years, Cousins has finished at number 16 (2024) and 24 (2025) on PFN’s Quarterback Impact Metric. And that was on an Atlanta Falcons team with much better weapons than the Raiders currently have.
I hope not for long.
— Marcin Zieliński 🇵🇱 (@NFLowy29) August 29, 2026
As a result, one fan claimed, “That won’t end well,” and another fan gave an exact timeline for the switch, predicting, “I give it till Week 4.”
It remains to be seen whether the Raiders pivot course relatively quickly with Mendoza or ride it out as long as possible with Cousins. But for the time being, the team appears to be moving forward with the veteran, giving the rookie more time to develop.
