TRZ Ad
2025AFCAFC WestFan ZoneLas Vegas RaidersNFLOffenseQuarterbacks

Raiders’ QB Plans For Fernando Mendoza & Kirk Cousins Leak — NFL Fans Are Furious

12

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Raiders’ QB Plans For Fernando Mendoza & Kirk Cousins Leak — NFL Fans Are Furious
Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins (Photo Via Imagn Images)

The Las Vegas Raiders are not planning to rush rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza into the starting lineup. Even though they selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the team expects Kirk Cousins to begin the season as its starting quarterback.

That decision has surprised many fans. Some believed Cousins would mainly serve as a mentor after struggling with the Atlanta Falcons. However, NFL insider Ian Rapoport said the Raiders want Cousins to lead the offense for as long as he stays healthy and plays well.

Mendoza joins the Raiders after an outstanding final season at Indiana. He led the Hoosiers to a national championship and finished the year with 41 touchdown passes and only six interceptions. Despite those impressive numbers, the Raiders believe he still needs time to adjust to the NFL before becoming their starter.

Fans Split As Raiders Stick With Cousins Plan

Fernando Mendoza at practice.
Fernando Mendoza. Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Speaking on The Insiders, Rapoport explained how the Raiders view their quarterback room.

“It truly seems like the way they are planning, the way they’re hoping for it to all be, is for Kirk Cousins to be the starter at the beginning of the season, throughout the season, and at the end of the season, because that means he is playing well, it means he has stayed healthy, and it means Fernando Mendoza can just sit there and learn,” Rapoport said.

He added, “If that is the way it goes for the Raiders, that is absolutely fine.”

Still, Rapoport made it clear that the situation could change quickly if Mendoza impresses during training camp or early in the season.

“You say, ‘all right, we’re going to sit this rookie, probably not going to play, he’s going to learn.’ What if Mendoza hits the ground running so fast and so well that they say, ‘This guy has to play’? It might not be game one, but it could be early in the season.”

Fans shared mixed opinions after the report surfaced.

One fan wrote, “Nah my guy Mendoza will beat him out in camp and will start game 1.”

Another posted, “If Kirk gets a full season with this roster, watch out. Consistency at QB changes everything for Vegas.”

A third fan backed the veteran by saying, “Real raider fans want kirk starting.”

Another fan simply added, “I hope that’s not true.”

Rapoport also said that if the Raiders decide to start Mendoza earlier than expected, it would actually be a good sign. It would mean the rookie developed faster than the team expected, even if it made the quarterback situation more complicated.

For now, the Raiders plan to be patient. Head coach Klint Kubiak and his coaching staff will continue to monitor Mendoza’s progress before making any decisions. Mendoza impressed in college, but now he has to show he can succeed at the NFL level.

Teams