There will be at least one first for Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza in 2026. Mendoza approaches the upcoming season with his status to begin the year being one that hasn’t been seen in the NFL in eight years.
Mendoza is set to become the first quarterback selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft to not start in Week 1 since Baker Mayfield in 2018.
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak officially named Kirk Cousins as the team’s starter for next season, making Mendoza the backup to begin the year.
The development gives Mendoza a different start to his career than most recent quarterbacks taken No. 1 overall, many of whom have been handed the starting job immediately. Mayfield opened his rookie season behind veteran QB Tyrod
Taylor before taking over for him later in the season.
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra offered further insights into how the decision to bench Mendoza to start the season compares to other quarterbacks taken with the No. 1 overall pick dating further back to 2000.
Since 2000, 20 QBs have been selected No. 1 overall. Fernando Mendoza becomes the 8th not to start Week 1. Most of those came early in the Millennium. 11 of the past 14 No. 1 overall QBs started Wk 1 (since Stafford in '09). Before that, it was 1 of 6. Different times. pic.twitter.com/CGwdSVkYBt
— Kevin Patra (@kpatra) September 2, 2026
Mendoza’s delayed debut reflects the Raiders’ decision to take a patient approach with their top draft pick. He had his shares of highs and lows in the preseason that justified coach Kubiak’s decision.
For a quarterback taken No. 1 overall, the circumstances represent a relatively uncommon start to a career historically speaking, but less common in recent times.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders No. 1 pick QB Fernando Mendoza not starting opener is rare sight
