The Las Vegas Raiders have drafted quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top pick, but already have a highly paid quarterback on their roster. This could prove problematic.
The Las Vegas Raiders have, as expected, selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The 22-year-old joins a quarterback room that just a few weeks ago added experienced veteran Kirk Cousins for a considerable sum. Currently, signs point to Mendoza having to be patient at the start of the season and play behind Cousins. Does this situation present an unnecessary problem for the Raiders?
It is not at all uncommon in the NFL for a young rookie quarterback to be developed cautiously and observe the game from the sidelines. For instance, Aaron Rodgers spent three full seasons learning behind Brett Favre with the Green Bay Packers before taking over as the starter himself. Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady only saw his first action in his second season, and only due to an injury to Drew Bledsoe. Even Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes made his debut in Week 17 of his rookie season.
However, all three of these players have one thing in common: they were not the number one overall pick. Furthermore, they did not have a college season like Mendoza in 2025 at Indiana. Mendoza is the prototype for a first-overall pick: a quarterback, a Heisman Trophy winner for the best college player of the season. He also led Indiana to an undefeated (16-0) National Championship, with a 27-21 victory over Miami in the final.
His individual stats also speak for themselves: 41 passing touchdowns with only six interceptions and a completion percentage of 72 percent. He also added seven rushing touchdowns. His red zone numbers are particularly noteworthy, with 27 touchdowns and not a single interception. The Raiders, under quarterback Geno Smith, had significant struggles in this very area last season.
The expectations for a first-overall pick are typically much higher. It is extremely unusual for players of this caliber not to be planned as immediate starters. One must look back an entire decade to find a first pick, Jared Goff (2016), who did not go into the season directly as QB1. Between 2017 and 2025, seven of the nine first-overall picks were quarterbacks who were all immediately inserted as starters.
Before the NFL Draft: Raiders Sign Quarterback Kirk Cousins
This very role as a backup is what now looms for Mendoza in Las Vegas. The franchise is coming off a disappointing 2025 season, finishing with just three wins and 14 losses – the league’s worst record, shared with three other teams. It was therefore all the more surprising when the team secured the services of Kirk Cousins in early April.
The 37-year-old signed a five-year contract worth $172 million, of which only one year and approximately $20 million are guaranteed – yet this is a clear indication of his intended short-term role on the team. This tendency was further supported by the statements of General Manager John Spytek before the draft: «We all want to see young players play. We want them to play well – but we don’t want to put anyone on the field, regardless of position, who isn’t ready.»
The Raiders’ approach is causing unrest among many fans. Critics fear that Cousins could block Mendoza and hinder his development. In their view, the young quarterback should get NFL experience early and gradually adjust to the significantly higher level of play compared to college, with the opportunity to make mistakes and go through a learning process.
Cousins himself is by no means a bad quarterback and likely still possesses starter quality for multiple teams. Last season with the Atlanta Falcons, he stepped in for the injured Michael Penix Jr. and led the team to five wins in eight games. However, throughout his career, with only one playoff win in 14 years, he is generally considered a solid, but not outstanding, playmaker – a reliable game manager, but not a franchise quarterback.
Fernando Mendoza on Bench Role: ‘I’ll Embrace It’
For a transitional phase, however, he is considered a quite viable option, which is clearly the Raiders’ assessment. «Honestly, I only want to start when I’m the best option. I’ve told Klint (Raiders Head Coach Kubiak, editor’s note) that too: the best player should play. As long as that’s the case, I have no problem with how things develop,» Cousins said regarding the upcoming competition, and promised to support Mendoza: «I have no problem at all being a voice in the quarterback room and helping as best I can. Watching an experienced quarterback with his habits, routines, and processes can be a big advantage for him.»
That the Raiders’ future belongs to Mendoza is beyond doubt and is also evident from the Raiders’ offseason moves. Significant rebuilding is underway around him. In particular, the acquisition of three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum represents a considerable reinforcement of the recently catastrophic offensive line – according to Pro Football Focus, the worst in the past season.
The hiring of offensive-minded Klint Kubiak as the new head coach and the acquisition of wide receiver Jalen Nailor also underscore this reorientation. Kubiak takes on the responsibility of head coach for an NFL team for the first time, succeeding Pete Carroll. The direction is thus clear: to catch up with the competition in the highly competitive AFC West with the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, and Kansas City Chiefs.
Mendoza himself seems unfazed by discussions about a potential quarterback duel; the 22-year-old appears highly motivated to start his NFL journey. «I’ll embrace it. The reason they are the coaching staff is because they make the best decisions – and whatever helps the team, I’ll do,» Mendoza said on the Rich Eisen Show.
«Just because I’m sitting on the bench initially doesn’t mean I won’t give it my all. I’ll compete with full intensity every day and try to prove myself, because I believe you have to earn everything and nothing is given. For me, it would be a great opportunity to work for something. At the same time, it would be great to learn from someone like Cousins.»
How the Raiders ultimately handle this luxury problem will become clear at the latest in early September, when the regular season begins.
Fernando Mendoza’s College Statistics in the 2025 Season
| Games (Record) | Passes (Percentage) | TD/INT | Passing Yards | Rushing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (16-0) | 273/379 (72.0) | 41/6 | 3535 | 90 Att / 276 Yards / 7 TD |