Report: Raiders 'best case scenario' Fernando Mendoza sits rookie season
Despite the Raiders being set to make Fernando Mendoza their selection at the top of the draft, reports say they would prefer he not start right away.
The Las Vegas Raiders are poised to make Fernando Mendoza their selection at number one overall in the draft. A pick like that suggests they see him as their long term franchise quarterback. The question is just when that begins.
According to NFL media's Ian Rapoport, the Raiders would prefer to wait, calling it the 'best case scenario' that Kirk Cousins starts this season while Mendoza sits and develops. From NFL Draft Kickoff on @NFLNetwork : The #Raiders , QB Fernando Mendoza and what to expect early on... pic.
twitter. com/NX9WFJrp4S ā Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 23, 2026 Several times Raiders brass has been asked the hypothetical question of starting a rookie quarterback. And the response has been that they'd prefer not to do that.
But that's kind of the thing they should say. Especially when trying to lure a proven veteran to sign with them as they did with Cousins. If they were to say right away that they were set on starting a rookie, Cousins would feel like he didn't have a legitimate shot at the job.