The Las Vegas Raiders were planning to make Fernando Mendoza their starting quarterback in the coming weeks regardless of Kirk Cousins' status with the team, sources told Ian Rapoport of ESPN.
Mendoza will make his first career start Sunday at home against the Seattle Seahawks after Cousins was dealt back to the Minnesota Vikings before Tuesday's trade deadline.
The No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft would've taken over Cousins' job if the Raiders lost to the Seahawks and Denver Broncos on Nov. 22, as two straight losses would've made a playoff push challenging, according to Rapoport.
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said Mendoza is more than ready to assume a starting role with the team.
"His teammates know how prepared he is," Kubiak said. "It's not just lip service, but he has shown it on the practice field."
The Raiders (4-5) have lost five out of their last six games after starting the season on a three-game winning streak.
