Cousins joined Las Vegas on a five-year, $172 million contract, a massive commitment that indicates the organization believes the veteran can lead the team in the short term. However, the Raiders also made a major investment in Mendoza, who became the No. 1 overall pick after starring for the Indiana Hoosiers and leading the program to a national championship.

That creates one of the most intriguing quarterback situations in the NFL. Cousins is the established veteran with years of experience, while Mendoza represents the future of the franchise.

Kirk Cousins sends clear message to Fernando Mendoza with Raiders

In an interview with Dan Graziano, Kirk Cousins acknowledged that the Raiders are in a strong situation because they have both an experienced quarterback and a highly touted rookie waiting behind him.

However, he’s not going to pass the torch easily. “I think the organization is positioned well having drafted Fernando. I’m gonna try to hold him off as long as I can, and we’ll see how it goes up ahead.”

The comment is an interesting admission from a veteran who understands that Mendoza was selected with the long-term future of the franchise in mind. Cousins knows the rookie will eventually get an opportunity, but he clearly does not intend to make that transition quickly.

Who will be the Raiders’ starting quarterback?

For now, Kirk Cousins remains the veteran with the clearest path to the starting job. His contract alone demonstrates how seriously Las Vegas view his role, while his experience gives the Raiders a proven option as they build a new era under head coach Klint Kubiak.

Mendoza, however, will have every opportunity to accelerate that timeline. His success at Indiana, where he helped deliver a national championship, created enormous expectations before he even entered the NFL.

The Raiders therefore have a fascinating situation: they can allow Cousins to lead the team while Mendoza develops behind him, or they could eventually turn the offense over to the rookie if he proves he is ready. Cousins’ message is clear. Mendoza may be the future, but the veteran quarterback plans to make him wait as long as he possibly can.

The Raiders finished the 2025 NFL season with the worst record among all 32 teams. That granted the AFC West franchise the #1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which they used to select Indiana national champion quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

However, the Raiders had previously signed Cousins in free agency, setting up an intriguing quarterback dynamic. Heading into camp, Kubiak designated the 15-year veteran as QB1 on the initial depth chart.

“When we go out to practice tomorrow, Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback,” Kubiak told reporters on Tuesday. “He’s the guy, and he deserves it because he’s played really good football.”

Will Kirk Cousins start Week 1?

While Kirk Cousins will open training camp at the top of the depth chart, that does not mean he has guaranteed the Week 1 starting job when the Raiders host the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium.

Kubiak believes Cousins’ vast veteran experience is crucial for establishing offensive leadership. Standard NFL philosophy often favors starting a seasoned veteran early to absorb pressure and avoid rushing a high-profile rookie before he is fully acclimated.

The head coach emphasized that while Cousins leads off training camp, he wants both Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell pushing him daily to foster a healthy, competitive quarterback room where everyone earns their reps.

A testing road ahead in 2026

The Raiders kick off their 2026 campaign at home against the Miami Dolphins. While Las Vegas has a strong opportunity to open with a win, the schedule grows significantly tougher from that point forward.

Before their Week 13 bye, the Raiders face seven teams that finished above .500 in 2025—a grueling stretch that includes a matchup against Kubiak’s former team, the reigning Super Bowl champions: the Seattle Seahawks.

Though both rookies faced off in the 2026 College Football National Championship Game, there may be more differences than similarities between Mendoza (22) and Beck (24). Most importantly, Mendoza is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That puts him in line for a ludicrous rookie contract that is planets away from Beck’s $7.4 million deal, as the latter was a third-round selection (65th overall) by the Cardinals.

As reported by Reuters, Mendoza is guaranteed a four-year, $57.2 million contract under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Still, while his earnings are virtually set in stone, he has yet to put pen to paper. The reason for the delay? Mendoza and the Raiders have yet to reach an agreement regarding the signing bonus.

Signing bonus dispute

According to CBS Sports, Mendoza and his camp are seeking a single lump-sum payment, which isn’t ideal from the Raiders’ point of view. The rookie quarterback isn’t interested in receiving smaller installments over time. Per Reuters, Mendoza is set for $38.1 million signing bonus.

For some time now, lump-sum bonuses have become the norm for the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL. Joe Burrow was paid the entirety of his signing bonus when he signed his rookie deal with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020, and every No. 1 pick since has followed the same path. The last first overall pick not to receive his signing bonus in a single lump sum was Kyler Murray in 2019 with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Raiders are used to paying signing bonuses in smaller installments and might not want to abandon that tradition. However, it’s also been a while since they selected first overall (2007, when they picked JaMarcus Russell). Times have changed, and this is the new norm, even if Raider Nation doesn’t love it.

Time’s running out

Beck and the Cardinals reached an agreement at the buzzer, and perhaps the Raiders will do the same with Mendoza. Arizona’s rookies reported to training camp on July 22, the same day Beck was signed to his rookie contract.

As for Las Vegas’ first-year players, they must report to the team facilities on July 23. Whether Mendoza will be signed by then remains uncertain. One thing is clear: if he doesn’t sign his contract, he can’t participate in training camp. And a rookie quarterback expected to start from Day 1 can’t afford such a start, no matter the college football pedigree he brings to the NFL.

“He was a lot of fun to watch,” Burrow said during a Heisman Trophy panel at Fanatics Fest. “I think the NIL era is interesting because teams like Indiana, who maybe couldn’t get the recruits 10 years ago, now can get the types of players where they can go and compete for championships.”

While the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback believes this type of evolution has helped programs with fewer resources emerge as contenders, he also emphasized that Mendoza’s talent was the key factor in ultimately winning the national championship.

“That creates a lot of parity throughout college football, and I think that’s good for the game,” Burrow also added. “There are a lot of downsides to it as well, but it was fun to see a team like Indiana go and make it happen. Obviously, Fernando was the main part of that.”

Mendoza’s great year at Indiana

During a legendary 2025 season with the Indiana Hoosiers, quarterback Fernando Mendoza delivered a historic campaign, throwing for 3,850 passing yards and 38 touchdowns to cap off a brilliant year and claim the prestigious Heisman Trophy. Mendoza led Indiana to a perfect, undefeated record, crowning their flawless season by winning the National Championship in a thrilling 27–21 victory in the final over the Miami Hurricanes.

Burrow’s Heisman experience

In 2019, Joe Burrow delivered one of the most dominant individual seasons in college football history while playing for the LSU Tigers, capping off his incredible performance by winning the Heisman Trophy in a landslide vote. Shortly after leading LSU to an undefeated National Championship victory, Burrow officially made the jump to the NFL when he was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft.

From College Football to the NFL

There are countless cases in which a player’s rookie year proves to be a defining moment. The leadership Fernando Mendoza brings with him could be crucial for the Las Vegas Raiders, and Burrow knows that this could help him succeed.

“The quarterback has the ball in their hands a lot,” Burrow said. “It’s a team game, but the quarterback drives that for us. He seems to be a great leader. He seems to be a great player, and I’m excited to see what he does in the NFL as well.”

“Unlike the Patriots and the other teams on this list, the Las Vegas Raiders aren’t expected to be chasing the postseason in 2026,” Bleacher Report‘s insider wrote. “However, trading for Brown would still be logical for a couple of reasons.

“For one, Las Vegas will spend the next few seasons developing rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. While the Raiders have put some nice pieces in place for Mendoza, including Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers, and Tyler Linderbaum, they lack a No. 1 receiver.”

There is significant excitement in Las Vegas surrounding Mendoza and the vision of him becoming the franchise quarterback. Brown’s experience could provide the young QB with a lethal weapon, although his future destination remains uncertain for now.

How much could Brown help Fernando Mendoza?

The potential addition of AJ Brown would be a monumental boost for Fernando Mendoza’s transition and long-term development in the NFL. Coming off a spectacular 2025 college season where he dominated the national stage with 3,535 passing yards, a stunning 41 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions, Mendoza has proven he possesses the elite accuracy and decision-making required for the next level.

However, the Raiders’ current wide receiver room severely lacks proven star power and extensive starting experience, leaning heavily on young targets like Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, and Jalen Nailor. Aside from the reliable presence of tight end Brock Bowers, this receiving corps desperately needs a true, battle-tested alpha target who can consistently beat press coverage and command double teams.

Integrating an elite, physical wideout like AJ Brown would completely transform the offense, providing Mendoza with a premier safety valve on contested catches and a game-breaking deep threat to perfectly complement his collegiate efficiency.

Raiders’ 2026 receiving corps

Even with uncertainty surrounding who will be the QB1 starting in Week 1, Klint Kubiak currently has both Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza as his two primary signal-callers. Through the air, these are the names they will have at their disposal heading into the 2026 season to challenge opposing defenses.

“Yeah, he’s a professional. He’s played a lot of football. He’s a leader that we’re counting on right now,” the head coach told reporters on Wednesday. “You see that side of him when it gets competitive, that was fun to get that move the ball period and get guys off of scripts and see how they respond, and you see the fire come out, and that’s what I want from our guys.”

Klint Kubiak knows Kirk Cousins firsthand, and understands that his experience in the league could not only help the Las Vegas Raiders achieve strong results, but also help refine a young talent like Fernando Mendoza with an eye toward the future.

Kubiak and Cousins already know each other from Minnesota

When Kubiak took over the reins as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator in 2021, he and Kirk Cousins picked up right where the previous scheme left off, keeping that offense running like a well-oiled machine. Having already spent two years as the quarterback coach, he had a great connection with Captain Kirk, and it showed on the field.

Under his play-calling, Cousins put up some highly efficient numbers in that play-action-heavy system, throwing for over 4,200 yards, 33 touchdowns, and protecting the ball with just 7 interceptions. It was a smooth, high-execution partnership that not only kept the quarterback playing at an elite level but also helped fuel a massive 1,600-yard season for Justin Jefferson.

Fernando Mendoza awaits his moment

Even with a veteran like Kirk Cousins on the roster, the Raiders didn’t draft Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall just to let him sit on the bench forever. He is seen as the undisputed centerpiece of Las Vegas’ long-term future.

Coming off a historic, undefeated 16-0 season with the Indiana Hoosiers where he absolutely lit up college football—putting up a 72% completion rate, 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions alongside a Heisman Trophy—Mendoza has the elite pedigree of a true franchise quarterback.

For many scouts, Fernando Mendoza is a generational talent—not only because of his physical football skills, but also due to his exceptional reasoning and the way he studies the sport off the field.

The Raiders are already witnessing this intellectual approach firsthand. According to offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko, Mendoza does not just want to learn how to execute certain plays; he also wants to understand the “why” behind them to fully master the system.

“He’s somebody that wants to know the whys of everything, the story behind everything,” Andrew Janocko said of Mendoza, via the team’s official website. “What we’re calling, but why are we calling it?

“He’s really just a sponge that wants to know everything. So it’s a lot of fun working with a quarterback like that because he’s coming in as a blank slate in this offense — never been in this offense before — and just asking a ton of questions.”

Fernando Mendoza is special, but the Raiders need to help him

The Raiders, who are one of five teams without a primetime game in 2026, have struggled to find a definitive replacement for Derek Carr. Fernando Mendoza might be the answer, but the club definitely needs to surround him with a strong supporting cast to let his talent shine.

As of today, the Raiders have a decent offensive foundation for Mendoza to work with. He has an outstanding tight end in Brock Bowers and a solid running back in Ashton Jeanty, but the wide receiver corps could definitely use an upgrade.

Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailer are currently the primary wide receivers on the roster. While it seems like an elite, top-tier target is missing from this group, Mendoza’s natural talent could help both wideouts break out and shine despite not being regarded as premier weapons.

Can Fernando Mendoza start over Kirk Cousins in Week 1?

As of today, Kirk Cousins is listed as QB1 on the Raiders’ early depth charts. His veteran experience leads many to believe he will start in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, yet Mendoza is already making a strong push to win the quarterback race.

According to reports, if Mendoza puts together a solid rookie minicamp and shines in offseason workouts, he could realistically start over Cousins in Week 1. However, the Raiders might also choose to go with the veteran to open the season, allowing the rookie to learn from the sidelines for a few weeks before ultimately taking control of the offense.

At Indiana, Mendoza worked plenty at the shotgun formation, so he is focusing on taking reps under center. “I think it’s going to be that repetition under center, getting those quicker feet, and just you can always be faster and more efficient in your reads and decisiveness,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza has been highly praised by his work ethic and being a tape nerd. Listening to him proves that. He is eager to get better and he wants to do it fast. Mendoza is a winner, and he will do whatever it takes to get the results the Raiders want.

Mendoza isn’t the only one adjusting to play under center

The Raiders picked offensive lineman Trey Zuhn in the third-round, and he’s been snapping for Mendoza during the minicamp. Zuhn played for Texas A&M during his college days. While he’s not scheduled to be the starting center (that would be Tyler Linderbaum), it’s great for him to get some reps there as well.

“We didn’t do very much under center at A&M, either, so it’s been great getting those extra reps,” Zuhn said. It seems that, after years of cultural mess within the Raiders confines, now it’s time to get to work and get things right.

The Raiders have a mountain to climb ahead of them

Unfortunately for Mendoza and the Raiders, it won’t be easy to turn their fortunes around. The fact is that they compete in the AFC West, arguably the toughest division in the NFL.

The Raiders have to battle against the 2020s dynasty in the Chiefs, the AFC runner-ups in the Broncos, and a perennial contender like the Los Angeles Chargers. Hence, it’s a big task to turn things around in just one season. Still, that’s what the Raiders are aiming for.

In fact, it was Mendoza himself who, in an interview with the media, revealed what it means for him to work with his new head coach, and how he will be able to maximize all of his strengths in this new stage of his career.

“He won a Super Bowl last year so I saw a lot of him… When I was drafted and got here, I was able to get the playbook. However, going now to be in the facility and have access to the film and see the application, see Kirk Cousins do it in Minnesota, see Sam Darnold do it last year in Seattle… how it’s supposed to be executed when it’s done at a high level, has really been beneficial for my development,” he said about making strides learning Kubiak’s system via Nick Walters on X.

“Coming from day 1, just seeing it on paper, to day 2, last night with coaches, really studying… that’s how their footwork and eyes looked, so can we put it on the field today, and I think we did.”

Kubiak knows how to develop quarterbacks

Klint Kubiak has proven to be a high-level offensive architect, capable of maximizing quarterback production in diverse systems. In 2021, as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator, he guided Kirk Cousins to one of his most efficient campaigns, where the veteran threw for 4,221 yards, 33 touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions while earning a Pro Bowl selection.

Kubiak took his expertise to Seattle for the 2025 season, where he revolutionized Sam Darnold’s career. Under Kubiak’s West Coast scheme, Darnold delivered an elite regular season with 4,048 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, culminating in a Super Bowl LX victory.

This partnership transformed Darnold from a bridge starter into a championship-caliber quarterback, leading the Seahawks to a franchise-record 14 regular-season wins and their second NFL title.

The challenge of developing Mendoza

After being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Fernando Mendoza joins the Las Vegas Raiders to lead a new era under head coach Klint Kubiak. During his 2025 Heisman-winning campaign at Indiana, he showcased elite pros, including a 72.1% completion rate, 41 touchdowns, and world-class ball placement, particularly on back-shoulder throws and intermediate routes.

His football IQ and ability to process defenses post-snap are seen as his “superpowers.” However, Kubiak must address certain cons from Mendoza’s college tape, such as his tendency to hold onto the ball too long, leading to a high pressure-to-sack rate of 18.9%, and a deep ball that sometimes lacks the strength to hit receivers in stride.

By implementing the quick-release concepts and play-action schemes that Kubiak mastered in San Francisco and Seattle, the Raiders hope to maximize Mendoza’s pinpoint accuracy while shielding him from the pocket instability that occasionally hindered him in college.

When the Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, the fanbase was electrified. Optimism reached new heights at the prospect of a seven-time Super Bowl champion guiding the rookie toward professional success.

While Tom Brady is arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history, general manager John Spytek has clarified the chain of command. Spytek detailed that he will primarily let head coach Klint Kubiak and the coaching staff guide Mendoza’s day-to-day development.

“I don’t think it’s going to be hard,” Spytek said. “We both welcome Tom’s insight and his input. But at the same time, I would say Tom has empowered us to run the day-to-day of the Raiders the way that we see fit. And obviously with the right vision and process in place, we’re going to be a very process-driven organization right now. And I think that wouldn’t surprise anybody with the way that Tom has operated throughout his career.”

If things go wrong, Tom Brady could always step in

Klint Kubiak is in his first year as head coach following a brilliant stint with the Seattle Seahawks, where he won Super Bowl LX. He now inherits a generational prospect in Fernando Mendoza, and the expectations for the Indiana star are already sky-high.

According to Spytek, Brady—who personally welcomed Mendoza after his selection—will allow Kubiak to develop the signal-caller, respecting the boundaries of the coaching staff. Nevertheless, there is a clear strategic reason why the Raiders brought Brady into the ownership group.

If the transition proves difficult, the Raiders will undoubtedly rely on Brady’s unprecedented expertise to assist both Kubiak and Mendoza. Though he is not a coach, his high-level advice could be the catalyst the club needs to finally secure the franchise quarterback fans have craved for decades.

The Raiders have another experienced QB to help Mendoza

Earlier this offseason, the Raiders signed Kirk Cousins. While he may not boast the trophy case of Tom Brady, his extensive veteran experience will be invaluable to Mendoza’s growth.

The Raiders are prepared for a competitive summer between Mendoza and Cousins. However, given his significant college experience and perceived NFL-readiness, the rookie appears to have the inside track to start in Week 1.

Tom Brady, through his X account, made it clear that this is only the beginning of a very demanding path. “Congratulations to all the rookies who are joining the NFL this weekend. I hope you can appreciate this special moment… you’ve earned it through hard work, discipline, and determination. You’ve made your family proud, along with everyone else on your journey that has supported you.

But this is just the beginning. When you wake up tomorrow morning, just know that your career will be defined by what happens going forward. You’ll need to take everything you do to the next level in order to compete with the world’s best. Welcome to Las Vegas Fernando Mendoza. Time to get to work.”

The link between Mendoza and Brady

The relationship between old school and the greatest of all time with the new generation is more alive than ever after Fernando Mendoza revealed that he would have Brady as a mentor if he were selected by the Raiders.

During an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Mendoza shared details about his initial connection with Brady and what the legendary quarterback and minority owner of the team told him.

“He gave me the message that he’s going to push me, and he’s not going to be all lovey dovey, and that, if the Raiders draft me, he’s going to be a mentor and wants to pour into whatever QB the Raiders have.”

Having that type of mentorship creates excitement that we could be witnessing the rise of the next big NFL star, one who aims to make history in the league and not disappoint Tom Brady.