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HENDERSON, NEVADA - JUNE 03: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Las Vegas Raiders stretches during an OTA offseason workout at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Health Performance Center on June 03, 2026 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Indeed, the biggest question surrounding the Las Vegas Raiders’ 2026 season is and will continue to be when will rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza take over as the starting quarterback.
That query will hover over the franchise until the time its announced Mendoza, the No. 1 overall draft pick, takes over the offense.
There, of course, is a chance the Heisman Trophy winner will begin the season in Week 1 as the starter. However, both Raiders’ head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek have publicly said, in a perfect world, a rookie quarterback would be given time to watch from the bench to start his career. Recently, assistant head coach Mike McCoy said he team has a detailed plan when to play Mendoza.
The fact that the Raiders signed veteran Kirk Cousins suggests that he will be the starter to begin the season as the starter.
There has been a lot of speculation by mainstream media that suggest the Raiders will wait until after their Week 13 bye to transition from Cousins to Mendoza. Part of that reasoning is because the Raiders have a rough stretch from Weeks 4-11 in which they play six teams that made the playoffs last season. Plus, they play four road games in November.
We recently asked our readers if they would be OK if Mendoza doesn’t play until December.
Most of our pool takers said they would be OK with it. I, for one, think Mendoza will be playing much earlier than that and that will be what’s best for the franchise both for 2026 and for the future.
Here are some of your responses:
LarDog
Let’s put this into perspective. Playing NFL QB is the most difficult position to play in American sports. There are so many variables for this once historically great team to become that again. I fully believe that Fernando will become a cornerstone to this team. Biggest variable is the OL. Only 2 big time OL on this team. Miller and Linderbaum. Start Cousins and see if the OL can gel and at least be average. Only way to know this is put it on the field in REAL GAMES. For sure if we can have a strong running game the passing game will be strong as well. If the team is winning with Cousins, or at least near .500 ke.ep it going. Mendoza can learn from him and study game film. Mendoza is a huge investment in the teams future. If he’s ready and the team is not in playoff contention with Cousins by Dec then play Mendoza. Otherwise wait for 2027 for him to start.
Nunchucks
If any Rookie QB is ready to start day one in the NFL, it’s Fernando Mendoza…He is wise beyond his years and that’s what coaches and GM’s love so much about him…He also doesn’t have any problems with playbook study and leadership skills…He would have to be so ahead of schedule and the coaches believe he is that good of a QB to play him day one, or at least after Cousins starts losing games…Especially if he is beating Cousins in practice day in and day out and our Oline is playing well….The Raiders will be a run first team and Mendoza is an excellent game manager!…If he is ready…start him…I believe he already gives us a better chance to win anyway…LFG!!!
Yeeeaaahhhhh
Mendoza needs to sit out, learn, and stay out as long as possible. Even if we’re msking a run for the playoffs. That would signal Cousins is playing fine. We signed Cousins for a reason. Folks are in such a rush. Mendoza’s time will come.
Indy!
If Mendoza doesn’t get in until December – we wasted the season.
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