The Las Vegas Raiders have named Kirk Cousins the starting quarterback for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, with Fernando Mendoza—the team’s No. 1 overall draft pick—scheduled to see significant preseason playing time but not the opening snap.
Mendoza to play bulk of Thursday’s preseason game
The Raiders confirmed Mendoza will start Thursday’s preseason matchup against the Houston Texans, with Cousins slated to take over in the second half. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Mendoza is expected to play most, if not all, of the first half, while Aidan O’Connell will also see action. This follows Mendoza’s preseason debut last week against the Arizona Cardinals, where he completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in limited snaps.
Cousins remains starter despite Mendoza’s strong preseason start
Head coach Klint Kubiak has repeatedly stated Cousins will begin the regular season as the starter, a decision Schefter described as part of a deliberate plan rather than a reflection on Mendoza’s performance. Kubiak emphasized the move also serves to manage Cousins’ workload as a 38-year-old veteran. Cousins led the Raiders’ opening drive against the Cardinals, completing five of six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown before Mendoza entered the game.
In Mendoza’s second preseason outing against the Houston Texans, he threw an interception returned for a touchdown by Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz on his second pass attempt. Mendoza finished the game with a passer rating of 42.6, completing 8 of 15 passes. Despite the setback, veteran Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby offered reassurance, telling ESPN’s Laura Rutledge, “Yeah, that’s football… He’s a rookie. You got to go through some ups and downs as part of the game, and it’s how you respond.”
Mendoza’s preseason performance draws mixed reactions
Mendoza’s debut performance—limited to three offensive drives—generated both praise and scrutiny. Former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III praised Mendoza’s decision-making and mechanics, particularly a 6-yard slant pass to wideout Jack Bech against the Cardinals. Griffin stated on his podcast, “That to me shows that Fernando Mendoza should be the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.” He also highlighted Mendoza’s use of the “four S’s” on play action—show, snap, shrink, and set up—as a key to his success.
Conversely, some fans and analysts criticized Mendoza’s postgame remarks, which included a statement accepting responsibility for the team’s preseason loss. One fan on social media platform X wrote, “Bro’s brain is operating on another plane, trying to weave so many thoughts into a symphony of ideas that language itself can’t bear the weight of his intelligence.” Others speculated about Mendoza’s off-field presence, joking about his potential public relationships.
Raiders’ quarterback hierarchy remains fluid
Schefter noted that while Cousins is the Week 1 starter, the Raiders’ long-term plan for Mendoza remains uncertain. He cited the precedent of recent No. 1 overall picks, six of whom started their rookie seasons, suggesting Mendoza’s time may come sooner rather than later. “If Kirk Cousins plays well and they’re winning, he’ll keep being the quarterback,” Schefter said. “If they lose that home opener against the Dolphins, you can already hear the calls in the stadium for Fernando Mendoza right then and there.”
The Raiders’ preseason schedule continues with Thursday’s game against the Texans, where Mendoza will face stiffer competition as he seeks to solidify his role in the organization.