- May 21, 2026
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Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak hasn't made it official, but all indications have been throughout the offseason and training camp that Kirk Cousins will open the season as starting quarterback — despite the club drafting Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall.
Mendoza flashed his potential in the preseason, though the performance was ultimately up and down.
On Tuesday, General Manager John Spytek noted that Mendoza has been the same kind of guy they got to know during the pre-draft process, so it’s not like the team has been surprised at the way the quarterback has gone about his business.
“He's a tireless worker. He loves football. He loves his teammates. He's energetic on the field. He's self-critical. He's self-aware. He's very accurate,” Spytek said, via transcript from the team. “His time is coming, but he's got to earn it every day, and he knows that. I think we're all very pleased with the person and his work ethic and his commitment to being a great quarterback.”
While the team wants to make sure Mendoza is ready before putting him on the field, Spytek cited several different quarterbacks to note that there’s more than one way to develop a young QB.
“Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, Patrick Mahomes, Jayden Daniels. Like you said, there's success stories and failures in both ways,” Spytek said. “We're just trying to build the best team we can and play the guys that are most ready to play, and have a constant competition in every room, not just the quarterback room, but every room.
“The expectation always will be that the best person, the person that's earned it, the person that can do their job for the team, will be the one that plays.”
Mendoza completes 25-of-45 passes for 240 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in the preseason.
The Raiders will open the season at home against the Dolphins on Sept. 13.
Mendoza flashed his potential in the preseason, though the performance was ultimately up and down.
On Tuesday, General Manager John Spytek noted that Mendoza has been the same kind of guy they got to know during the pre-draft process, so it’s not like the team has been surprised at the way the quarterback has gone about his business.
“He's a tireless worker. He loves football. He loves his teammates. He's energetic on the field. He's self-critical. He's self-aware. He's very accurate,” Spytek said, via transcript from the team. “His time is coming, but he's got to earn it every day, and he knows that. I think we're all very pleased with the person and his work ethic and his commitment to being a great quarterback.”
While the team wants to make sure Mendoza is ready before putting him on the field, Spytek cited several different quarterbacks to note that there’s more than one way to develop a young QB.
“Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, Patrick Mahomes, Jayden Daniels. Like you said, there's success stories and failures in both ways,” Spytek said. “We're just trying to build the best team we can and play the guys that are most ready to play, and have a constant competition in every room, not just the quarterback room, but every room.
“The expectation always will be that the best person, the person that's earned it, the person that can do their job for the team, will be the one that plays.”
Mendoza completes 25-of-45 passes for 240 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in the preseason.
The Raiders will open the season at home against the Dolphins on Sept. 13.