Fernando Mendoza faces delayed Raiders start amid Cousins' success

Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the team’s No. 1 overall pick, faces a delayed path to the starting lineup due to the strong performance of veteran Kirk Cousins. Cousins has led the Raiders to consecutive victories to open the 2026 season, prompting head coach Klint Kubiak to maintain a developmental approach that allows Mendoza to learn the offense without immediate pressure.

Mendoza currently sits second on the depth chart behind Cousins, with Aidan O’Connell listed third. While the organization intended to let the rookie develop behind an established veteran, Cousins’ early-season success has solidified his position as the starter.

Off the field, Mendoza has launched a personal finance educational series titled ‘Finance with Fernando.’ The initiative uses short-form video content to target Generation Z, aiming to make financial literacy and money management more accessible to young adults.