fernando mendoza kirk cousins las vegas raiders
fernando mendoza kirk cousins las vegas raiders
There’s a certain impatience that always shows up in August around the Las Vegas Raiders and the entire NFL. Fernando Mendoza shows a great deal of promise in training camp and the preseason and suddenly a chunk of the fan base and a good portion of the national media are set to hand him the starting job.
Kirk Cousins is old, slow and in the way. The process is too slow. Get the kid in there now.
I’ve heard the argument. It still doesn’t hold up.
Rushing Fernando Mendoza Hurts Him and Raiders Future
fernando mendoza las vegas raiders3
Aug 20, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) attempts a pass during the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
There is no version of this where rushing Mendoza makes sense. Yes, he was the No. 1 overall pick, the Heisman Trophy winner and a college football national champion. He has the skill and he has the smarts. But this is not a moment where the Raiders need instant gratification. This is a long-term investment. You don’t put that kind of capital on the field before he’s ready just because the preseason got noisy. Kirk Cousins starts. Mendoza develops. That’s not a hot take. That’s how you build a quarterback.
Klint Kubiak has been straightforward about it. Asked what Mendoza needs most right now, the coach kept it simple.
“Reps,” he said. “I know that’s a short answer, but that’s the truth.”
More practice. More time seeing the offense at full speed free from the pressure of carrying the franchise every snap.
Even if Cousins hits a rough stretch in October, the Raiders still have Mendoza with more practice under his belt, more film studied, and half a season of NFL speed already in his legs. If they need to make a change later, he’ll be further along than he is right now. Waiting doesn’t cost them anything. Putting him out there before he’s ready might.
Related: Raiders Rookie Treydan Stukes Quietly Seizing Starting Free Safety Job
Not Starting Doesn’t Stunt Mendoza’s Growth or Development
NFL: Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders3
Aug 13, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza (15) and Kirk Cousins (8) sit on the bench while watching the action on the field during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Brytus-Imagn Images
Kubiak has also explained how the staff plans to keep developing Mendoza even if he’s not the starter.
“We have experience as coaches on developing guys when they’re not starting a game,” he said. “It’s staying early, leaving late. It’s using some technological tools at your disposal. But it’s really a lot of Coach Sullivan spending early mornings and long nights with Fernando.”
The structure is there. They’re not improvising.
Mendoza himself doesn’t sound like a player itching to force the issue.
“I’m taking a following role right now,” he said earlier in camp. “I’m just trying to do my part and focus on the next rep and do everything I possibly can to prepare myself to be the best asset I can for my team. Whatever decision is made at the end, that’s fantastic. I’m all for it. I just want the team to win.”
He’s also been honest about where he stands.
“I still have a long way to go,” Mendoza said. “I feel more comfortable, but I’m nowhere near where I need to be.”
That kind of self-awareness is a positive sign that Mendoza knows what he doesn’t know.
Related: 5 Las Vegas Raiders WR Targets After Klint Kubiak’s Fiery Comments
Champions of Rushing Mendoza Ignore History
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Aug 13, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The NFL is littered with young quarterbacks who were rushed and failed as a result. The same people pushing hardest for Mendoza to start immediately are often the first ones to claim the organization ruined him if he gets thrown in early and struggles behind an offensive line still finding its footing. You can’t have it both ways. Either you trust the process, or you don’t get to rewrite the outcome after the fact.
What is settled about Fernando Mendoza with the Raiders is that he is the future of the franchise. I’m not debating that, nor is anyone else who pays attention. He is. It’s about whether you accelerate a future franchise quarterback because the noise got loud in August.
You don’t. The Raiders have a plan. They’re sticking to it. That still looks like the right call.