Raiders activate Mendoza as starter after Cousins trade

Las Vegas will start rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza in upcoming games after trading Kirk Cousins to the Vikings on Tuesday.

The trade accelerated a development plan that the Raiders originally designed for the 2026 draft number one pick. The team had intended to keep Cousins under center for a longer period to allow Mendoza time to absorb the offense. Minnesota acquired the veteran quarterback in exchange for a third-round pick.

Head coach Klint Kubiak stated on Thursday that the change in status should not be overwhelming for the young player. He noted that Mendoza has been preparing for this opportunity since April. Kubiak said, “It shouldn't be a whirlwind if he’s been preparing the right way each week.”

The Raiders structured their offseason around a slow start for Mendoza. They hired offensive-minded leadership, including coordinator Andrew Janocko and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan, to guide the rookie’s growth. Sullivan, who previously worked with Eli Manning in 2004, has focused his coaching on Mendoza rather than Cousins. The organization believed that keeping a veteran at the helm would stabilize the offense until the rookie was fully prepared.

Mendoza expressed gratitude for the mentorship he received from Cousins during their time as teammates. In a news conference on Wednesday, Mendoza said Cousins “had me with open arms and has taught me so many things.” He credited the veteran for sharing insights on film study and operating as a starting quarterback without restrictions.

The timeline for this decision shifted after Minnesota’s performance on Monday night. The Vikings’ quarterback Carson Wentz played poorly, which increased Minnesota’s urgency to acquire a new starter. This urgency aligned with the Raiders’ willingness to listen to offers as the trade deadline approached on Tuesday.

Historical data shows that this approach is uncommon among top-tier quarterbacks. From 2006 to 2025, only six of the 41 quarterbacks selected in the top 10 did not start at least one game in their first eight weeks. Mendoza joins a small group of first overall picks who sat behind veterans, including JaMarcus Russell and Jared Goff. The 2017 Kansas City Chiefs are often cited as the ideal model, where Patrick Mahomes sat behind Alex Smith for most of the season.

The Raiders face a challenging start, as Mendoza will face the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks. Only one of the previous four quarterbacks who started against coach Mike Macdonald’s defense recorded a touchdown pass. Mendoza said Wednesday that the team has aided his development and that it is now his turn to contribute to the team’s success.

The team will take on the Seahawks in its next scheduled game. Kubiak indicated that Mendoza’s daily preparation and consistency have met the organization’s standards, and the staff is ready to evaluate his performance in live game conditions.