Raiders' Coach Opts for Veteran QB Over No. 1 Pick Mendoza

The Las Vegas Raiders have decided to start veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins, opting not to begin the season with No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. This decision comes after the team selected Mendoza, the reigning Heisman trophy winner, during the 2026 NFL Draft, amid a challenging quarterback situation in previous seasons.

Coach Klint Kubiak's choice to sit Mendoza has garnered support from former Raiders CEO Amy Trask, who emphasized the importance of balancing short-term and long-term success. Trask noted that while Mendoza has shown promise, he needs more preparation before taking the field as a starter.

In the preseason, Cousins demonstrated his experience with a 76.5 completion percentage, while Mendoza faced challenges, including interceptions in two games. Kubiak believes that Mendoza will benefit from additional practice and experience, similar to other successful quarterbacks who waited for their opportunity. Mendoza's journey in the NFL is just beginning.