Las Vegas Raiders Evaluate Starting Top Pick Fernando Mendoza Amid Losing Streak
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak considers starting No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza as Las Vegas searches for answers following a 3-0 start.
POLICY WIRE — Las Vegas, United States — Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak is weighing whether top selection Fernando Mendoza can help reverse the team’s fortunes as losses continue to pile up following a promising 3-0 start to the season.
The franchise initially intended to lean on veteran Kirk Cousins under center for the entirety of the campaign, allowing the first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft to observe and develop behind the veteran before taking over.
Cousins has started all seven games for Las Vegas thus far, but mounting struggles mean the rookie quarterback could secure his first career start much sooner than anticipated.
When the organization selected Mendoza with the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, leadership deliberately chose to shield him from immediate pressure by keeping him on the bench as the primary backup, marking the first time since 2018 that a draft’s top pick did not start in Week 1.
Prior to the regular season, the organization secured Mendoza by signing him to a four-year, $57.27 million fully guaranteed contract featuring a fifth-year team option.
Although the roster currently faces numerous roster deficiencies that exceed what any single rookie can immediately fix, the franchise holds nine additional draft selections alongside significant salary cap flexibility in free agency to construct a supporting cast around their prized quarterback.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
