Fernando Mendoza will make his first NFL regular-season start Sunday when the Las Vegas Raiders host the Seattle Seahawks, stepping in as starting quarterback after Kirk Cousins was traded to the Minnesota Vikings ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
The Vikings sent a third-round pick to Las Vegas for Cousins, reuniting him with coach Kevin O’Connell and the offense he ran from 2018 through 2023. The trade caught Mendoza off guard. “People were like, ‘Kirk got traded,’ and everyone just said that’s the nature of the business, and that’s how it is,” Mendoza said. “And I’m excited to see Kirk in his future.”
Mendoza, the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL Draft and last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, led Indiana to an undefeated season and the program’s first national title. The Raiders brought in Cousins as a bridge starter rather than rush the rookie into the lineup right away.
Cousins went 9-0 as a starter… actually started nine games, throwing for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions, with a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown on the ground before three interceptions in what became his last start for Las Vegas.
Mendoza called the move to starting quarterback a “new step” but said he’s not treating it as bigger than it is. “I’m a lot more confident as a quarterback and feel more developed, whether it’s under center, connecting with teammates, understanding an NFL scheme,” he said Wednesday. “There are so many areas that I have improved on, and I look forward to keep on improving.”
Tight end Brock Bowers said the locker room is behind the rookie. “Everyone has faith in him,” Bowers said. “He might have a bad play here and there, but you just got to flush it. I know he does a good job at that.”
Wide receiver Tre Tucker said Mendoza has looked sharp taking first-team reps in practice. “We’ve been seeing it all year,” Tucker said. “He’s been taking reps with us. He’s been doing everything, and you just see a throw in practice and say, ‘Wow.’ For that to be out there this Sunday is going to be fun.”
Mendoza faces a tough opening assignment against Seattle’s defense, which helped carry the Seahawks to last season’s Super Bowl title.
