Jason Burgos
Barring a major injury or some awful play in training camp, a new addition by the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday guarantees that projected No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza will start his rookie season as a backup.
Heading into this month’s NFL Draft, there is only one sure thing: Indiana star Fernando Mendoza will be selected by the Raiders with the top overall pick. As of now, it seemed like the Heisman Trophy winner would be the team’s starter in Week 1. Well, that looks unlikely now.
On Thursday morning, Kirk Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, broke the news on social media that his client has signed a free agent contract with Las Vegas. “Congrats, Kirk Cousins, on agreeing to a contract with the Raiders,” he wrote in the post.
New Las Vegas coach Klint Kubiak recently admitted that he would prefer Mendoza to sit and learn for at least the early part of his rookie season in the league. Today’s move likely guarantees that. However, there is an outside chance Mendoza could still be the team’s QB1 in Week 1.
Could Mendoza start in Week 1 even after Cousins signing?
Cousins is a four-time Pro Bowler and has had some great seasons during his 14-year career. However, if you haven’t watched the NFL over the last two years, the 37-year-old has not played his best ball after signing a four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons two offseasons ago.
The main reason is an Achilles tear in 2023 that has hampered his game ever since. Furthermore, he is probably feeling the effects of an age-related decline. It’s not impossible that he doesn’t look good this summer, or incurs an injury that forces Mendoza into the starting role to begin the year.
However, he would need to be really bad to at least not be under center over the first three weeks of the 2026 Raiders campaign. That is unlikely.
