Fernando Mendoza: Starting is a "new step," but it's not a whirlwind

Published November 12, 2026 07:00 AM Everyone knew that it was only a matter of time before Fernando Mendoza became the Raiders’ starting quarterback, but the first overall pick in this year’s draft said on Wednesday that he was taken by surprise when he learned the time had come. While many people speculated that Kirk Cousins would be traded to the Vikings ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, Mendoza said he had “no inkling” that a trade was coming before he learned Cousins was headed back to one of his former teams. Mendoza thanked Cousins for his mentorship on and off the field several times during a press conference and said that relationship has built his belief that he can succeed at the helm of the offense in Las Vegas. Mendoza described moving into the starting lineup as “a new step,” but not one that he views as a whirlwind because of the work that he’s put in since joining the team. “I’m a lot more confident as a quarterback and feel more developed, whether it’s under center, connecting with teammates, understanding an NFL scheme,” Mendoza said. “There are so many areas that I have improved on, and I look forward to keep on improving because there’s still a lot of work to do.”That next chapter of work will begin against the Seahawks this weekend and facing the defending champs won’t be an easy way to kick off life as a starter, but it will be a good way of learning just what Mendoza will be up against as he tries to grow as an NFL quarterback.