Raiders Name No. 1 Pick Fernando Mendoza Week 10 Starter After Cousins Trade

Q: With Kirk Cousins traded, are the 4-5 Raiders secretly giving up on the playoffs to evaluate their future franchise quarterback?

Not exactly. The Raiders are pivoting to Fernando Mendoza because they believe he is ready, but the move also clearly serves a longer-term purpose. The facts point both ways. Las Vegas is only 4-5 and still mathematically in the AFC wild-card race, but its playoff odds are modest — around 12% by one public model — and it has lost five of its last six after a 3-0 start. Trading Kirk Cousins, who had thrown for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions, removes the safer veteran option in the middle of a playoff chase. That is usually a sign a team is thinking beyond just this season. At the same time, the Raiders are not framing this as surrender. General manager John Spytek and coach Klint Kubiak both said the decision was driven by Mendoza’s progress in practice, command of the offense, and leadership. Mendoza was always viewed as the franchise quarterback of the future after going No. 1 overall, and the Raiders had planned to play Cousins only until the rookie proved ready. By their account, that point has arrived. The trade compensation matters too. Las Vegas got a 2027 third-round pick for a 38-year-old bridge quarterback it signed cheaply, while opening eight games for Mendoza’s evaluation. That is smart roster management, not necessarily waving the white flag. So the Raiders are not “secretly” giving up, but they are making a future-facing decision while still hoping Mendoza can keep them competitive now.

3 articles · Updated · Raiders.com · Nov 10

John Spytek named rookie Fernando Mendoza the Raiders' starting quarterback for Week 10 on Wednesday, elevating the 2026 No. 1 overall pick ahead of Sunday's game.
Kirk Cousins' trade to the Vikings for a 2027 third-round pick cleared the path, but team officials said Mendoza's practice growth, leadership and preparation drove the decision.
Mendoza arrives with a strong résumé after a Heisman Trophy and national title at Indiana, where he completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2025.
His regular-season NFL experience is limited to one appearance against New England, when he completed 75% of his passes for 48 yards, making Week 10 his first start.