The Raiders didn’t just speed up Fernando Mendoza’s timeline - they shoved it straight into the deep end.
With Kirk Cousins dealt to the Minnesota Vikings at the NFL trade deadline, Las Vegas has moved Mendoza into the starting job in Week 10 rather than waiting until Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is now set to take the reins immediately.
That means Mendoza’s first three starts, if all goes as planned, come against the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns. Not exactly a soft landing for a quarterback who has barely touched the field in regular-season action.
The Raiders had originally intended to let Mendoza sit and develop behind Cousins, who opened the season as the starter. But once the trade materialized, the plan changed fast, and the rookie was pushed to the front of the line.
Las Vegas general manager John Spytek confirmed Mendoza will start in Week 10, and head coach Klint Kubiak backed the move as well, pointing to the quarterback’s preparation and work habits as reasons the team believes he’s ready.
So far, Mendoza has only appeared in relief against the New England Patriots, where he completed six of eight passes for 48 yards. Now he’ll get his first real shot to run the offense from the opening snap.
The schedule doesn’t do him any favors. Seattle opens the stretch in Week 10, and the Seahawks bring one of the league’s strongest defenses.
Denver follows in Week 11, another defense that can make life miserable for quarterbacks. Then comes Cleveland in Week 12, giving Mendoza three straight tests against tough units before the Raiders reach their bye week.
What was supposed to be a Week 14 debut against the Chargers has turned into a much earlier assignment. The Cousins trade changed the timeline, and now Mendoza gets his chance a month ahead of schedule.
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