During an interview with ESPN, Cignetti told Kevin Clark that Mendoza has “Quick arm, good arm strength, good mobility. Got a body of work out there and he’s going to be a really good pro…if not this year, sometime soon.”

Hence, Cignetti knows destiny is bright for Mendoza. However, there is a key thing in his assessment, which is the speed on his arm. Many QBs have good arm strength, or accuracy. However, not all can unleash a pass quickly while keeping their poise.

Cignetti made a key observation

A few days ago, the world saw Jim Harbaugh in a media campaign to affirm JJ McCarthy as the best rookie quarterback. Two years later, and McCarthy has lost its job altogether. Cignetti, though, was way more cautious.

He said, “if not this year, sometime soon.” This means Cignetti could see Mendoza as a guy that could benefit from sitting behind Kirk Cousins for a year, or at least by a good portion of the season. Is this concerning for Mendoza? Not really, it’s more of a learning curve, after all, Cignetti also said he will be a very good pro.

Cousins’ role is hanging by a thread

While it seems Kirk Cousins is the one starting the season as the Raiders QB1, nothing has been confirmed yet by head coach Klint Kubiak. Also, even if Cousins starts, every mistake will be a huge talking point as Mendoza will be waiting for his chance to shine.

“Jeanty left Sunday’s training camp practice early after suffering an apparent right knee injury,” as reported by ESPN. “As he was being helped off, Jeanty couldn’t put pressure on his right leg. The team did not provide further details on the severity of Jeanty’s injury.“

Expected to be the engine of the team in Sin City, a long-term injury to Jeanty would be catastrophic for the Raiders, let alone a season-ending setback. The organization’s silence surrounding the situation only adds to the suspense, while speculation grows louder that Jeanty may have suffered a severe injury in practice.

Needless to say, losing Jeanty before the 2026 NFL season’s kickoff could derail Las Vegas’ hopes and put rookie quarterback Mendoza in an even more complicated situation. Most likely, the Raiders would have to make a move to bring in a top running back, as the ground-game alternatives are mainly inexperienced talents or simply not at Jeanty’s level.

Las Vegas’ RB depth chart

Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr. out of Arkansas has run away with the job behind Jeanty on Las Vegas’ depth chart. Overnight, he could become the Raiders’ new HB1 if Jeanty indeed misses time with a lower-body injury.

In fact, the rookie took over first-team reps in practice after Jeanty had to leave the session with the assistance of trainers. Still, Las Vegas may want to bring in a more experienced tailback.

In addition to Washington Jr., the Raiders have Dylan Laube, Roman Hemby, and Dare Ogunbowale. Clearly, Jeanty is one of one. Las Vegas has no way of truly replacing him. Not in-house, clearly, but not around the league, either—not with a realistic trade target.

Tough blow to Raiders

If a serious injury is confirmed, it will be heartbreaking in more ways than one. With many expecting a great year from Jeanty, this early adversity rains down on what could be—or perhaps could have been—a historic season for one of the most talented and electric young stars in the NFL.

Injuries happen in the NFL, especially in a sport like football, but when they occur in practice, they leave an even sourer taste in everyone’s mouths.

On one side is Kirk Cousins, a proven veteran who signed a five-year, $172 million contract with Las Vegas. In reality, the deal functions as a one-year, fully guaranteed $20 million commitment with a club option covering two additional seasons at $80 million.

On the other side is Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and the quarterback many around the organization view as the future of the franchise. The expectation was that Cousins could help lead the transition while Mendoza develops at his own pace, but a strong season from the veteran could change those plans entirely.

Who will be Raiders’ starting quarterback in 2026 season?

Klint Kubiak still has not decided who will be the Raiders’ starting quarterback for the 2026 regular season. Following the preseason game against the Houston Texans, Kubiak made it clear that the competition remains open and that neither Cousins nor Mendoza should assume the job is theirs.

It’s a clear message from the head coach trying to keep the intensity. “We got another week. I don’t want anyone to be comfortable in their job. It should always be that way for all positions. So, let’s keep going.”

That is an intriguing stance with the regular season approaching. Cousins has the experience and the massive contract, while Mendoza represents the long-term investment at the most important position on the roster.

Kubiak’s decision to keep the competition alive could also be a sign that the Raiders are genuinely considering both possibilities rather than simply preparing Mendoza for a predetermined succession plan.

What’s Raiders’ QB depth chart?

The Raiders’ quarterback depth chart is expected to feature Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell. There appears to be little doubt that O’Connell has secured his place on the roster after delivering a strong performance in Houston.

His preseason showing gave the Raiders another reason to keep him around as an experienced option behind the top two quarterbacks. The only scenario that could change those plans would be a late trade interest from another team.

As preseason action ramps up, some head coaches send their best to play at least a couple of drives. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, “Texans quarterback CJ Stroud set to play a few series tonight vs. Raiders along with first-team offensive line… Twenty to 25 plays, roughly.”

Hence, Stroud, whose stock in the NFL has plummeted after a very promising rookie year, needs to look at least good to not raise concerns. The Texans have exercised the fifth-year option for Stroud, which would imply a potential extension is coming, however, nothing is set in stone.

Will Fernando Mendoza play for the Raiders vs Texans?

Fernando Mendoza was the number one overall pick in the NFL Draft, but he is behind veteran Kirk Cousins on the depth chart. Hence, the Raiders will deploy their rookie so he can get some added snaps in his resume.

After the joint practice with Houston, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said Mendoza will get a lot of reps in the game vs Texans. Hence, it’s another opportunity for Mendoza to show his team he can take over if Cousins slips.

Why are Stroud and Mendoza so highly-watched?

Stroud has lots of eyeballs on him because his dip in form after the rookie season has been dramatic. Given that Houston has the best defense in the NFL, the team feels like it’s a quarterback away from contention. However, Stroud’s recent years show that he might not be the QB the Texans can rely on.

As for Mendoza, his College Football career was so great, that it granted him a National Championship and the first overall pick. That alone will put pressure on him. Add the fact that he is on a team desperate for good QB play, and the expectations grow even more.

Mendoza arrives in Las Vegas after an impressive college career with the Indiana Hoosiers, where he established himself as one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the country and helped lead Indiana to a national championship. Now, the former college star faces his first test at the NFL level.

The Raiders are not expected to immediately hand him the starting job. Kirk Cousins remains the veteran favorite to open the regular season as QB1, but Mendoza’s preseason opportunities will be crucial for his development. His first snaps against Arizona will give fans their first look at the quarterback who could become the face of the franchise.

Is Fernando Mendoza playing today for Raiders against Cardinals?

Yes. Fernando Mendoza is expected to play for the Raiders against the Cardinals in the 2026 NFL Preseason Week 1 matchup. The game will give Mendoza his first NFL snaps since being selected No. 1 overall.

While Cousins will be the starting quarterback when the regular season begins, Mendoza should receive an important opportunity to operate the offense and adjust to the speed of professional football.

For the rookie, this is about much more than simply getting preseason reps. The Raiders invested the top pick in the draft on Mendoza because they believe he can eventually become their franchise quarterback. His performance against Arizona will therefore be one of the first major checkpoints in his development.

Who will be the Raiders’ starting QB in the regular season?

Kirk Cousins is expected to begin the 2026 regular season as the Raiders’ starting quarterback. That does not diminish the importance of Mendoza’s preseason debut.

The rookie will have the opportunity to learn from Cousins while gradually taking on more responsibility, giving the Raiders a chance to develop their potential quarterback of the future without rushing him into the starting role. For Raiders fans, however, the most important part is that the wait is over: the No. 1 overall pick is finally getting his first NFL game action.

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.