Will Fernando Mendoza Continue The No. 1 Overall QB Starting Trend? 

This year’s NFL Draft saw Fernando Mendoza selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, making him the latest highly touted quarterback expected to become the face of an NFL franchise.

Mendoza arrived in Las Vegas after an exceptional final season with the Indiana Hoosiers, winning the 2025 Heisman Trophy after throwing for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

However, the Raiders also signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins earlier this offseason. The 37-year-old showed he could still provide capable quarterback play after returning to Atlanta’s starting lineup last season, finishing 5–3 across eight starts. 

Cousins is currently expected to open the 2026 season as Las Vegas’ starting quarterback, with head coach Klint Kubiak naming him QB1 entering training camp. Mendoza will therefore begin his NFL career competing for opportunities behind a quarterback with 167 career starts ahead of him. 

From Jared Goff in 2016 to Cam Ward last season, every quarterback selected No. 1 overall over the previous 10 NFL drafts has earned the QB1 role during their rookie season. This leaves fans with the biggest question heading into next season. Can Mendoza continue the starting QB trend, or will Cousins hold onto the Raiders’ starting job for the entire season? 

Can Kirk Cousins Keep The Raiders’ Starting QB Job? 

Kirk Cousins appears to be in a strong position to begin the 2026 season as the Raiders’ starting quarterback. Head coach Klint Kubiak has already named the veteran QB1 entering training camp, while Fernando Mendoza is expected to be given time to adjust to the NFL.

Cousins also brings plenty of familiarity with Kubiak’s offensive system. The two previously worked together in Minnesota, where Kubiak served as quarterbacks coach and later offensive coordinator. His offence relies heavily on play action and operating from under center, areas that have traditionally suited Cousins’ strengths as a pocket passer.

Las Vegas should also be able to surround him with an offence better suited to taking pressure off the quarterback. Ashton Jeanty gives the Raiders a strong option in the running game, while Brock Bowers provides Cousins with one of the NFL’s most dangerous receiving tight ends. A successful running game would also allow Kubiak to make greater use of the play-action concepts that have suited Cousins throughout his career.

The biggest question is how long Cousins can keep the job. He turns 38 in August and the Raiders have invested the No. 1 overall pick in Mendoza, making the rookie their clear long-term option at quarterback. Mendoza has already received first-team reps during training camp and could put increasing pressure on Cousins if Las Vegas struggles early in the season.

For now, Cousins gives the Raiders an experienced quarterback who already understands much of what Kubiak wants to accomplish offensively. If he performs well and Las Vegas remains competitive, there may be little reason to rush Mendoza onto the field. However, any prolonged decline in Cousins’ performance could quickly open the door for the Raiders to turn toward their draft pick.

Can The Raiders Win With Kirk Cousins At Quarterback? 

Again, whether Kirk Cousins remains the Raiders’ starting quarterback will ultimately depend on whether Las Vegas can remain competitive with him leading the offense.

Any improvements will likely be seen as bigger strides than last season’s 3–14 record. Cousins should also provide more stability at quarterback compared to Geno Smith, while Klint Kubiak is expected to build an offense around a strong running game and play-action passing. 

The Raiders have also strengthened their offensive line, including the addition of Tyler Linderbaum, which will give Cousins better protection than what was available last season.

Cousins will also have two of the league’s most promising young offensive weapons alongside him. Ashton Jeanty gives Las Vegas a centerpiece in the running game, while Brock Bowers gives Cousins an established receiving threat at tight end. Both players should fit particularly well within Kubiak’s system, which can use the running game to create opportunities through play action and get the ball to receivers quickly.

However, expectations for the Raiders remain relatively low. Their current regular season win total sits at just 5.5 games, and a growing list of top betting sites continue to price Las Vegas as a significant outsider to reach the playoffs. 

The Raiders also remain a team undergoing many changes. Las Vegas will be entering the season with nine new starters and questions still remain over the depth of the receiving corps. It will be interesting to see whether the rebuilt offense can come together quickly enough to compete in 2026.

When Could Fernando Mendoza Become The Raiders’ QB1? 

Fernando Mendoza may be the Raiders’ long-term answer at quarterback, but that does not necessarily mean Las Vegas needs to rush him into the starting lineup. With Kirk Cousins already familiar with Klint Kubiak’s offensive approach and surrounded by promising weapons, the Raiders have a realistic opportunity to let Mendoza develop while still trying to remain competitive in 2026.

For Cousins, success this season will not necessarily mean turning the Raiders into immediate Super Bowl contenders. If he can help Las Vegas improve, remain competitive and keep meaningful games on the schedule late into the season, he may have a realistic opportunity to hold onto the starting job. If he cannot, the pressure to begin the Fernando Mendoza era will only continue to grow.

Recent history suggests Mendoza’s opportunity will eventually come. Every quarterback selected first overall over the previous 10 NFL drafts has reached the QB1 role during his rookie season. Whether Mendoza continues that trend could therefore depend less on when he is ready and more on how long Cousins can give the Raiders a reason to keep him on the sidelines.