Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza just snapped a streak in a bad way
The Las Vegas Raiders decided on Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback moving forward, and Fernando Mendoza will be the backup.
The Las Vegas Raiders announced that Kirk Cousins was going to be the starter for Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. And while we pretty much already knew that, hearing it from Klint Kubiak meant the reality of not seeing Fernando Mendoza in the first game is starting to kick in.
And, with that, there’s a streak being broken. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the last six quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall had started on opening day. Mendoza now will snap that streak. And that’s probably not a streak he wanted to snap. In fact, being selected No. 1 overall, that’s not a streak he probably thought he would snap. Because, as Schefter said, most No. 1 overall QBs start right away.
Cam Ward, the Tennessee Titans QB, is the most recent example. His rookie year wasn’t the best. And most of that was not his fault, as the team was not ready for him. The Raiders want to avoid a similar situation. They want to make sure the team is ready for Mendoza just as much as he is ready for it. And, that’s not to say Ward was ruined by last year, because he wasn’t. In fact, many think he will make a huge jump this year.
This doesn’t mean we won’t see Fernando Mendoza at all in 2026
Sure, Mendoza isn’t the starter. And, sure, we likely won’t see him at all in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. In fact, we may not see him in Week 2 either, and there’s a chance in Week 3, 4, 5 and so on we don’t see him. However, if you’re a gambler, I’d put all your money on Black 15. In other words, I’m willing to bet he plays this season as the starter.
There’s just no way they don’t eventually start the guy they used a No. 1 overall pick on. Not to mention, they at least want to get something out of that rookie quarterback contract before they have to pay him. So, still be on the lookout for Mendoza. If Cousins gets hurt, Mendoza could be the guy. If Cousins starts playing bad, Mendoza could be the guy. This doesn’t mean he’s not going to play at all in 2026.
