Fernando Mendoza
Fernando Mendoza
Fernando Mendoza hasn’t played a regular-season NFL snap yet. Will the rookie see the field at all this year?
Mendoza, of course, was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is obviously supposed to become the team’s franchise quarterback. But due to the resurgence of veteran Kirk Cousins, Mendoza has been stuck to the bench.
Las Vegas signed Cousins this past offseason after he was released by the Atlanta Falcons. It was announced that he would be the Raiders’ starter to open the season, allowing Mendoza to watch and learn for a few games.
But with Cousins leading the way, the Raiders have been one of the NFL’s most surprising teams, posting a 3-1 record. If they continue to win, there’s no telling when Fernando Mendoza will get his chance.
Will the Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza Play This Season?
His Career Thus Far
Fernando Mendoza
Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) defends against Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Fernando Mendoza attended Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida. During his career there, he passed for 1,396 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 137 yards and a score. He originally committed to play college football at Yale University before choosing the University of California, Berkeley.
Mendoza would play two seasons at Cal. In 2024, he was the third-leading passer in the ACC with 3,004 passing yards. He also accounted for 18 total touchdowns. In addition, he led the Bears to six wins and a bowl game in their first season as members of the ACC.
Fernando Mendoza had several memorable performances in 2024. He threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-14 road win at Auburn. Plus, he had 285 passing yards and two scores in the Bears’ 39-38 loss to then-No. 8 Miami. In addition, Mendoza led a comeback and a 98-yard winning touchdown drive for a 24-21 victory over Stanford in his final game with the Bears.
Mendoza transferred to Indiana during the 2025 offseason, replacing fellow quarterback Kurtis Rourke. He would put together a spectacular debut season at Indiana, throwing for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns while rushing for seven scores.
Mendoza was named the Associated Press Player of the Year and won the Heisman Trophy. He also led an unbeaten and top-ranked Indiana to its first Big Ten championship since 1967 and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
In addition, Fernando Mendoza powered the Hoosiers to a national championship as they defeated Miami 27-21 in the title game. He was named the 2026 National Championship Offensive MVP.
The Last Word
The Raiders made the right decision by starting Cousins to open the season. It allows Fernando Mendoza to sit and learn instead of being thrown into the fire. The decision could surely help him develop into a star quarterback down the road.
If Mendoza sits this season or doesn’t play much, he won’t be the first first-round quarterback to do so. Guys like Carson Palmer, Aaron Rodgers, and Patrick Mahomes are perfect examples.
Palmer was drafted first overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003. The former USC star would spend his entire rookie year on the bench, not playing a single snap. Veteran Joe Kitna served as the starter before Palmer took over the following year.
Rodgers, who was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2005 (24th overall), sat behind Brett Favre for the first three seasons. He played seven games during that span with no starts.
Then Mahomes (drafted 10th overall in 2017), played just one game as a rookie with the Kansas City Chiefs, backing up Alex Smith.
Cousins has seemingly mastered Raiders coach Klint Kubiak’s system. With that said, it’s likely that he’ll be the starter for the rest of the season.
So look for Fernando Mendoza to pull a Carson Palmer and then take over the team next year.
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Main Image: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images