Fernando Mendoza has been named the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting quarterback following the team’s decision to trade veteran Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings. The 23-year-old rookie, who won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana University to a national championship, is scheduled to make his first NFL start against the Seattle Seahawks on November 15, 2026.
The Raiders confirmed the quarterback change on November 10, shortly after trading Cousins for a third-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft. Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft, takes over a Las Vegas team with a 4-5 record through nine games.
Why Fernando Mendoza Is Starting for the Raiders
Raiders general manager John Spytek confirmed that Mendoza’s development during practice played a major role in the team’s decision to move forward with the rookie quarterback.
“This is something that he’s worked very hard for since the moment he’s walked into this building,” Spytek said.
The decision followed several months of preparation under head coach Klint Kubiak. Mendoza had spent the opening nine weeks of the season learning behind Cousins, who joined Las Vegas to provide experience at quarterback.
Cousins completed his time with the Raiders after throwing for 2,340 yards and 20 touchdowns in nine starts. His departure created an opportunity for Mendoza to lead the offense.
Kubiak expressed confidence in the rookie’s preparation.
“He’s prepared,” Kubiak said. “He practices extremely well and his work habits also allowed us to make this trade because we feel that he’s ready to go.”
Who Is Fernando Mendoza?
Fernando Mendoza is an American football quarterback born on October 1, 2003, in Miami, Florida. He comes from a Cuban-American family and attended Christopher Columbus High School before beginning his college football career.
Mendoza initially played at the University of California, Berkeley, where he developed into a starting quarterback. He appeared in 20 games across three seasons with the Golden Bears before transferring to Indiana University.
Standing approximately 6 feet 5 inches tall, Mendoza became known for his passing accuracy, preparation and ability to make decisions under pressure.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from California in three years before completing his college football career at Indiana.
Fernando Mendoza’s Indiana Career and Heisman Trophy
Mendoza joined Indiana for the 2025 college football season under head coach Curt Cignetti. His arrival helped transform the Hoosiers into one of the strongest teams in the country.
During his only season at Indiana, Mendoza completed 72 percent of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns. He also contributed seven rushing touchdowns while leading the team to an undefeated 16-0 record.
Indiana defeated Miami 27-21 in the College Football Playoff National Championship, securing the program’s first national title.
Mendoza became the first Indiana player to win the Heisman Trophy. His other honors included the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award and Davey O’Brien Award.
His achievements established him as the leading quarterback prospect entering the 2026 NFL Draft.
Fernando Mendoza’s NFL Draft and Rookie Season
The Las Vegas Raiders selected Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the centerpiece of the franchise’s long-term plans.
However, the team initially chose Cousins as its starting quarterback while Mendoza adjusted to professional football.
Mendoza made his regular-season debut during the Raiders’ 45-17 loss to the New England Patriots on October 11. He completed six of eight passes for 48 yards without throwing an interception.
His limited playing time allowed him to gain experience before receiving the starting assignment.
Following the trade announcement, Cousins publicly supported the rookie quarterback with a short social media message.
“Go get em @fernandomendoza,” Cousins wrote.
Fernando Mendoza’s First NFL Start Against Seattle
Mendoza will face a significant challenge in his first NFL start when Las Vegas hosts the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium.
The matchup is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, at 4:05 p.m. Eastern Time.
After Seattle, the Raiders are scheduled to face the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns, giving Mendoza a demanding opening stretch against established NFL defenses.
Kubiak has acknowledged that regular-season competition will present challenges different from practice, but the coaching staff believes Mendoza is ready.
As of November 11, 2026, Mendoza has completed six of eight passes for 48 yards in his NFL career. His first start against Seattle will mark the beginning of his opportunity to establish himself as the Raiders’ long-term quarterback.
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