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Fernando Mendoza to Serve as Raiders QB2
The Las Vegas Raiders named veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins as their Week 1 starter on Wednesday, and while some late training camp rumblings hinted at Fernando Mendoza potentially starting his career as the third quarterback behind Aidan O'Connell, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft will serve as the team's primary backup, according to The Athletic's Sam Warren. Mendoza appeared in all three of the Raiders' preseason games, turning in a mixed bag on his way to a 56.5% completion percentage and two interceptions to his one touchdown. The Raiders face a daunting schedule to begin the year, a fact that could lead to early calls from fans to put the rookie on the field, but also a landmine that the coaching staff must navigate with the ultimate goal of setting Mendoza up for long-term success. Equipped with the tools and mindset to eventually become the face of the franchise, Mendoza is RotoBaller's QB29 and not a player who needs to be drafted as anything more than a third quarterback in 2026 superflex leagues.
Source: Sam Warren
Source: Sam Warren
Raiders Officially Name Kirk Cousins the Week 1 Starter
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has officially named veteran Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Despite a training-camp push by first overall pick Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders have decided to let the 38-year-old veteran open the 2026 campaign as the starter under center. The expectation all along was that Cousins would open the year as the starter to give Mendoza more time to adapt to the NFL game and get used to playing under center. In 30 offensive snaps during the preseason, Cousins went 13-for-17 for 101 yards with one touchdown. Cousins could have some low-end QB2 sleeper appeal in the season opener against Miami in what should be an improved Raiders offense, but with Mendoza looming as the long-term option at the position, he makes for an unintriguing two-QB superflex option in season-long formats as he heads into his 15th NFL season.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Raiders Set to Name Kirk Cousins as Week 1 Starter
According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to name veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins their Week 1 starter. Even though Cousins was slated to take the starting job back at the beginning of training camp, newly appointed head coach Klint Kubiak has kept the door open for a competition. However, the veteran earned the starting gig over first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell. Cousins has been sharp in the preseason, going 5-for-6 in the opener and 8-for-11 in their preseason finale this past Thursday evening. Last season, Cousins appeared in 10 games for the Falcons and averaged 205.5 passing yards per game with a 10:5 TD:INT in the eight games in which he logged more than 50 offensive snaps. Given that the Raiders lack many proven options in the passing game outside of star tight end Brock Bowers, the 38-year-old carries low-end QB3 appeal in their Week 1 opener against the Miami Dolphins.
Source: Matt Zenitz
Source: Matt Zenitz
Fernando Mendoza Could Begin the Season as the QB3
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak is open to naming Aidan O'Connell as the QB2 over rookie first overall pick Fernando Mendoza, according to Michael Smith of NBC Sports. This would make the No. 1 overall pick the QB3 to start the season for the Raiders. During the preseason, Mendoza had 25 completions on 45 passing attempts for 240 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. It has widely been expected that Kirk Cousins would be the starting quarterback for Week 1, with Mendoza being the backup. However, not many would have thought the rookie would start the season as the third-string quarterback. "We've got three guys that are ready to play," Kubiak told team reporters. "It's going to be some hard decisions on who's 1, who's 2. That's not a decision we have to make today, but those are discussions that are ongoing." If this happens, nothing much will change for Mendoza's fantasy outlook for redraft leagues and dynasty leagues. We knew he was a long-term fantasy investment that would not have much fantasy relevance until, at best, the end of the 2026 season.
Source: NBCS - Michael Smith
Source: NBCS - Michael Smith
Kirk Cousins Expected to "Eventually" be Named the Starting QB
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Las Vegas Raiders veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected "to be named the starter eventually," according to people inside the Raiders' building and league-wide with other teams. Head coach Klint Kubiak was non-committal on naming a starter for Week 1 of the regular season against the Miami Dolphins after the team's preseason finale on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers, in which both Cousins and rookie first overall pick Fernando Mendoza played. Cousins went 8-for-11 for 51 yards, while Mendoza went 7-for-14 for 57 yards with an interception. Although Mendoza saw some first-team reps in training camp practices, Cousins has been treated like the starter since the spring, according to Fowler. At best, the 14-year veteran and four-time Pro Bowler is a low-end, short-term option in superflex leagues in 2026, but the overwhelming consensus is that Mendoza will be making starts under center this year for the Raiders sooner rather than later. Cousins only played in 10 games (eight starts) for the Atlanta Falcons last year after Michael Penix Jr.'s (knee) season-ending ACL tear, throwing for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Fernando Mendoza Struggles in Final Extended Opportunity
Taking over early in the game and playing mostly with the starting offense, Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza struggled against a unit of 49ers reserves in Thursday night's preseason finale. The first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft completed seven of his 14 pass attempts for 57 yards while throwing an interception and taking two sacks, and with veteran Kirk Cousins now expected to take the starting job into the regular season, Mendoza's tune-up opportunities are about to see a dramatic decline. "He needs another three preseason games, and all those rookies do," head coach Klint Kubiak said after the game. "Now that the season is starting, the practice reps get smaller, and that's just life. But us as coaches, we've got to get them ready to play and keep developing." The Raiders face a difficult schedule to begin the year, so the team may need to be strategic about when they give Mendoza his first career start, and with a steep learning curve still ahead of him, he is not a player who needs to be drafted in single quarterback leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Klint Kubiak Still Not Ready to Name a Starting QB
After the Las Vegas Raiders' preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night, head coach Klint Kubiak is still not ready to name a starting quarterback between veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie first overall pick Fernando Mendoza, according to Vincent Bonsignore of The California Post. In the 18-12 loss in Vegas, Cousins went 8-for-11 passing for 51 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, while Mendoza went 7-for-14 for 57 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. The Raiders were saying early in the offseason that they wanted Cousins to open the 2026 season as the starter to give Mendoza a chance to adapt to the speed of the pro game and to get more comfortable running an offense under center. However, Mendoza's quick development in training camp has opened the door for him to seize the job in Week 1. In three preseason games, the former Indiana star went 25-for-45 for 240 yards, one touchdown, and two picks. Whoever wins the starting job at QB in Vegas will be a low-end QB2 option for fantasy managers in superflex leagues.
Source: The California Post - Vincent Bonsignore
Source: The California Post - Vincent Bonsignore
Kirk Cousins Listed as Starter on Raiders' Unofficial Depth Chart
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins was listed as the starter on the team's unofficial depth chart ahead of their preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers. According to head coach Klint Kubiak, Cousins has taken most of the first-team reps in practice and that it is "his job to lose." The veteran quarterback signed a two-year, $12.6 million deal with the Raiders this offseason and was set to compete with first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza for the starting job. With Cousins and most of the starting offense not playing in the team's second preseason game against the Houston Texans, it points to the 15th-year quarterback starting in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. Even if Cousins is named the starting quarterback this season, his lack of weapons and rushing ability leaves him as an irrelevant piece in fantasy this season.
Source: Las Vegas Raiders
Source: Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza Throws Pick-Six in First Preseason Start
Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza got his first professional start in Thursday night's preseason matchup with the Texans, and on the team's opening drive, he threw an interception to rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz that was returned 80 yards for a touchdown. Playing the entire first half, the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft led four more drives, resulting in a field goal and three punts before Aidan O'Connell took over in the second half and managed a come-from-behind victory. Along with a handful of starters, veteran Kirk Cousins was given the night off following a productive joint practice with the Texans, but after the game, head coach Klint Kubiak declined to name a starter for the regular season. "We got another week. I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job... It should always be that way for all positions. So, let's keep going." Barring an unforeseen surprise, Mendoza will begin his rookie campaign backing up Cousins. Still, he has reportedly impressed behind the scenes and could find the field earlier than initially projected, making him an intriguing late-round pick in superflex leagues as RotoBaller's QB29.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Raiders Not Ready to Name a Starting Quarterback for Week 1
The Las Vegas Raiders open the regular season by hosting the Miami Dolphins on September 13, but head coach Klint Kubiak is not ready to name a starting quarterback, according to ESPN's Ryan McFadden. With veteran Kirk Cousins held out of Thursday's preseason matchup against the Texans, first overall pick Fernando Mendoza received his first professional start, throwing an interception on the opening drive that was returned 80 yards for a touchdown. When asked after the game about who would start the regular season, Kubiak told reporters, "We got another week. I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job... It should always be that way for all positions. So, let's keep going." By all accounts, Mendoza has impressed behind the scenes with his work ethic and mentality, but McFadden reported on Tuesday that the coaching staff is still looking for the improved timing and anticipation that will come with additional reps. Regardless of who begins the season under center for the Raiders, Mendoza is projected to take the job from Cousins before the end of his rookie season, making him a dart-throw third quarterback in superflex drafts as RotoBaller's QB29.
Source: Ryan McFadden
Source: Ryan McFadden
Fernando Mendoza Expected to Play First Half Against Texans
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to play roughly the first half of Thursday night's preseason game against the Houston Texans, according to Adam Schefter. Aidan O'Connell is expected to take over for the second half. Mendoza got an extended look in the opener against Arizona, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown over four drives. The Raiders have kept adding to his workload since then. He saw valuable snaps against Houston's first-team defense during Tuesday's joint practice, while Kirk Cousins continued to handle the bulk of the first-team work. Head coach Klint Kubiak has been clear that Mendoza needs reps, and Thursday should give the No. 1 overall pick plenty more. Cousins still sits ahead of him, but Mendoza is getting a longer runway in these preseason games as Las Vegas continues bringing its rookie quarterback along before Week 1.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Raiders Want Fernando Mendoza to Improve His Timing and Anticipation
Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza put up solid numbers in his preseason debut against the Cardinals, and on Tuesday he was given first-team reps against the Houston Texans defense during joint practice. Still, he acknowledges that he has plenty of room for growth. In a SportsCenter segment following practice, ESPN's Ryan McFadden points to Mendoza's timing and anticipation as areas that the coaching staff is looking for improvement, noting head coach Klint Kubiak's attention to detail on a play-to-play basis. The coaching staff has reportedly been impressed by the work ethic of the first overall pick, and there is confidence that Mendoza will make the necessary strides as he gets more time on task, with extended reps expected for him in Thursday night's preseason matchup with the Texans.
Source: Ryan McFadden
Source: Ryan McFadden
Fernando Mendoza Gets Extensive Reps With First-Team Offense
Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza got extensive reps with the first-team offense on Tuesday during the team's joint practice with the Houston Texans, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic. Veteran Kirk Cousins would go first, but Mendoza subbed in for a few team periods. The first overall pick from Indiana is gaining steam to potentially steal the starting gig from Cousins to begin the 2026 regular season, and he looked like a future star in his NFL debut in last Thursday's preseason loss to the Arizona Cardinals, going 10-for-16 passing for 97 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. He also had six yards rushing. Cousins will most likely open the year as the Raiders' starter under center, but if Mendoza continues to impress, he will get his shot sooner rather than later. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues must still temper expectations, as Mendoza could face a steep learning curve with a weak collection of receivers if he is making starts in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Fernando Mendoza Shows Glimpses of Greatness in First NFL Showing
Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza showed some promising traits during the 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night. While completing 10 of his 16 pass attempts for 97 yards and a touchdown, Mendoza also flashed his willingness to run with two carries for six yards. His touchdown pass went to sophomore wide receiver Jack Bech, whom he hit on a quick slant that split two defenders with perfect ball placement for the six-yard score. Mendoza showed confidence and decisiveness on most plays, but also left room for improvement in his first preseason game. As RotoBaller's QB29 overall, it's only a matter of time before Mendoza gets a true chance to exceed expectations in Las Vegas.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
All Three Raiders QBs "Deserve First-Team Reps"
When asked if rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in April's NFL draft, has earned more first-team reps after a strong performance in Thursday's preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said, "All three of those guys deserve first-team reps." Kubiak was referring to Mendoza and QBs Kirk Cousins and Aidan O'Connell. Mendoza went 10-for-16 passing for 97 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in the 27-14 loss to Arizona, adding two rushing attempts for six yards in his NFL debut on Thursday. The Indiana product looked more comfortable as the night went on and led the Raiders on a 10-play, 79-yard drive that concluded with a six-yard touchdown pass to second-year receiver Jack Bech. Mendoza had a solid night for sure and could be pushing Cousins for the Week 1 starting job, but Kubiak did say after the game that it's still Cousins' "job to lose." If Mendoza continues to look good in the preseason and in training camp practices, we could see the 22-year-old leading the Raiders' offense in the 2026 regular season sooner rather than later.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
