We got our first look at No. 1 overall pick and former Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza in the NFL on Sunday.
The Raiders benched starting quarterback Kirk Cousins amid a 45-17 loss to the New England Patriots, turning to the rookie from Indiana. Cousins' performance was far from disastrous as he completed 19 of 28 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown, but Mendoza looked sharp as well. He completed six of eight attempts for 48 yards as he finished the game.
Mendoza's garbage-time appearance sparked some discussion among the fan base about whether Mendoza would be named the starter moving forward, but coach Klint Kubiak put the kibosh on those rumors during his Monday press conference.
Kubiak reiterated that Cousins will start moving forward
for the team, though he added that "If Fernando's called upon, he'll be ready to go just like he was yesterday."
The Raiders got off to a surprising 3-0 start this season after earning the first overall pick last year, but they've now dropped two in a row, following up a three-point loss to the Chiefs with the blowout loss to New England.
Cousins is off to his best start since the 2023 season with the Vikings. He ranks in the top 10 in passing yards (1,269) and ties for second in the league with 12 touchdown passes.
Mendoza wasn't necessarily brought in to start as a rookie, and though he got his feet wet on Sunday, it seems his wait to assume the starting position will continue.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Klint Kubiak offers definitive answer on Fernando Mendoza/Kirk Cousins QB controversy
