Let’s face it, Fernando Mendoza is the one variable that will be most impactful for the Las Vegas Raiders next season. The Raiders’ receiving corp has question marks surrounding it, and the secondary is youthful as ever, but quarterback play will tell the story for Las Vegas in 2026.
According to Fox Sports’ Ben Arthur, the biggest question that the Raiders face entering the summer is when Mendoza will get the call to start next season.
”The expectation is that veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins will start the season for the Raiders while Mendoza sits and learns. That’s the preference of new head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek. But struggles by Cousins and/or a quick acclimation by Mendoza would present a situation where the No. 1 overall pick sees the field earlier than expected.”
Conventions figure to rule the day in Las Vegas to begin next season, much to the benefit of Cousins. Nevertheless, with a talent like Mendoza, ticket holders will be sliding off of their seats at some point in the year if they’re forced to sit on the edge of them for too long until the Heisman Trophy winner starts.
Mendoza has the potential to rack up significant yardage in the air, gain meaningful yards on the ground, and find his receivers in the end zone frequently, as was the case in his senior season at Indiana in 2025, where went for 3,535 passing yards and led the nation in passing touchdowns with 41. Mendoza will end up getting the call under center for the Raiders at some point, but the sooner the better, and not just for the long haul.
According to Fox Sports’ Ben Arthur, the biggest question that the Raiders face entering the summer is when Mendoza will get the call to start next season.
”The expectation is that veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins will start the season for the Raiders while Mendoza sits and learns. That’s the preference of new head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek. But struggles by Cousins and/or a quick acclimation by Mendoza would present a situation where the No. 1 overall pick sees the field earlier than expected.”
Conventions figure to rule the day in Las Vegas to begin next season, much to the benefit of Cousins. Nevertheless, with a talent like Mendoza, ticket holders will be sliding off of their seats at some point in the year if they’re forced to sit on the edge of them for too long until the Heisman Trophy winner starts.
Mendoza has the potential to rack up significant yardage in the air, gain meaningful yards on the ground, and find his receivers in the end zone frequently, as was the case in his senior season at Indiana in 2025, where went for 3,535 passing yards and led the nation in passing touchdowns with 41. Mendoza will end up getting the call under center for the Raiders at some point, but the sooner the better, and not just for the long haul.
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