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The Las Vegas Raiders appear to have a sensible plan for Fernando Mendoza’s rookie season: Let Kirk Cousins handle the offense, and give Mendoza time to adjust and avoid throwing the No. 1 overall pick onto the field before he is prepared.
It sounds lovely in July.
The plan will become considerably less comfortable if Cousins loses three consecutive games and Mendoza’s rookie season continues with him on the sideline.
Fernando Mendoza’s Rookie Season Plan Sounds Sensible—Until Kirk Cousins Starts Losing
According to may NFL analysts, the Raiders hope Cousins can remain their starting quarterback throughout the 2026 season. That does not mean Mendoza has no opportunity to play.
That flexibility will be necessary. The Raiders can enter training camp with a preferred timeline, but Mendoza’s rookie season cannot be governed by a promise made before either quarterback takes a preseason snap.
Raiders Have Good Reason to Start Kirk Cousins
Las Vegas did not sign Cousins merely to serve as a well-paid quarterbacks coach.
The 37-year-old started eight games for the Atlanta Falcons last season, completing 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has also spent time with new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, who previously coached Cousins with the Minnesota Vikings.
That familiarity should allow Cousins to run Kubiak’s offense immediately. Mendoza, meanwhile, is moving from Indiana to an NFL system while carrying every expectation attached to being selected first overall.
Allowing him to watch, learn and gradually earn more responsibility could be beneficial. A rookie quarterback does not need to start immediately just because the league has grown addicted to instant evaluations.
The problem is that patience becomes scarce when a team starts losing, and that is where Mendoza’s rookie season may look different.
Las Vegas also has to consider what Mendoza would gain from spending his entire rookie season on the bench. A few months behind Cousins could help him learn the offense, adjust to NFL defenses and correct weaknesses without every mistake becoming a national discussion. Eventually, however, observation reaches its limit.
The Raiders drafted Mendoza to become their franchise quarterback, and meaningful late-season snaps could leave him better prepared for 2027 than another six Sundays spent wearing a headset.
Fernando Mendoza’s Rookie Season Could Change Quickly
If Cousins plays well and keeps Las Vegas competitive, there is no reason to force Mendoza onto the field. He can learn without absorbing the physical punishment and public criticism that often greet young quarterbacks.
If the Raiders begin 2-6, however, the conversation changes.
Every Cousins interception would bring another round of questions about Mendoza. Every uninspiring offensive performance would make the rookie more appealing. Fans rarely chant for patience when the first overall pick is holding a clipboard behind a quarterback nearing his 38th birthday.
Cousins has endured this situation before. The Atlanta Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. shortly after signing Cousins to a massive contract in 2024. Once Cousins struggled, the Falcons eventually made the switch.
The Raiders should not rush Mendoza simply to quiet an angry crowd. They also cannot protect their original plan at the expense of valuable development. At some point, taking real snaps will teach Mendoza more than another month of watching Cousins.
Mendoza’s rookie season may begin on the bench, and that could be exactly where he belongs.
Keeping him there for all 17 games will require Cousins to give Las Vegas a reason.
Main Photo Courtesy of Kirby Lee – Imagn Images
