Raiders GM hints at open QB battle for Week 1 starter
The Las Vegas Raiders recently made an offseason move by signing Kirk Cousins, but that move didn’t stop speculation about Fernando Mendoza possibly landing in Vegas as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 N F L draft. If the Raiders go that route, head coach Klint Kubiak will face an immediate decision about who starts Week 1.
Conventional wisdom says you go with the veteran, especially when that veteran is Cousins. MORE: Dianna Russini drama raising tension between The Athletic & New York Times But general manager John Spytek made it clear Tuesday that nothing is set in stone. John Spytek confirms meritocracy for QB1 role The Raiders plan to let competition decide who takes the first snap of the season.
Spytek didn’t close the door on a rookie getting the nod if he earns it, though he acknowledged the challenge of playing quarterback at a high level straight out of college. “Ultimately, this is a meritocracy, and the best guy will play. It’s just really hard to play really well at a young age, but we’ve seen plenty of quarterbacks do it recently.
You know how that goes going forward,” Spytek said . “Obviously, we added Kirk, we have Aidan [O’Connell], and we’ll see how it goes, but the best man will play. ” Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana University’s Pro Day.
Spytek’s comments did not confirm Mendoza as the target, but the tone suggested the Raiders are thinking hard about taking a quarterback early. Recent history points toward rookies starting immediately. Each of the last six first-overall quarterbacks opened their rookie seasons as Week 1 starters.