Just like that, this is Fernando Mendoza's team. Literally an hour before the trade deadline, the Raiders and Vikings got a deal done to send Kirk Cousins to Minnesota for a third round pick. And with that, the Nandolorian era in Las Vegas has officially begun.
Mendoza was selected with the number one overall pick in this year's NFL Draft out of Indiana. But unlike most number one overall picks, the Raiders didn't plan to put him in as the starter from day one.
New head coach Klint Kubiak wanted to go the old school route and let Fernando sit and learn behind a savvy veteran. So, he signed Cousins to a free agent deal in March and when Menoza entered the fold, he began his journey with the perfect mentor.
Cousins wasn't just a veteran NFL quarterback.
He was a veteran NFL quarterback who had worked in Kubiak's system before. So, he was well ahead of the curve. He also came cheap because he was just a season removed from an injury that made a lot of people think he was washed up. But a four-game stint in the 2025 season convince Kubiak that he was back his old/young self.
Since then everything has worked pretty much as planned. Cousins kept the spot warm, led the Raiders to four wins, while being among the league leaders in touchdown passes (20) and passing yards (2340). All the while Mendoza was getting more and more prepared for his moment.
The top pick QB did see some action late in the Raiders blowout loss to the Patriots in Week 5. He had one drive in which he went 6/8 for 48 yards. But being that it was garbage time, there wasn't much you could make of it besides the fact that at least he came out and executed as you would hope.
Had the Raiders not traded Cousins away, it's possible they would have waited at least until after Week 12 when they entered their bye week to make this move. But this was always the week that seemed to me to be the target. Because what's better than getting a proven starter and mentor for an offseason and half the regular season and then turn around and get a draft pick out of the deal while making the move at QB you were going to make all along?
It isn't entirely ideal, however. Mendoza's first start will come against one of the best defenses in the league in the Seahawks. And it doesn't get any easier with the Broncos on tap followed by the Browns.
It was always going to be a trial by fire. But at least now, he has been able to experience nine games from the sideline, watching a proven starter do it first.
Should be pretty exciting Sunday watching that Mendoza 15 jersey take the field for the first snap.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Fernando Mendoza era in Las Vegas starts now
