Fernando Mendoza of Indiana football starts his NFL career on the bench for Las Vegas Raiders
Here's where the Heisman trophy-winning, national champion quarterback for Indiana football will start his rookie NFL season.
The Las Vegas Raiders picked Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Heisman trophy-winning, national champion quarterback for Indiana football will start the 2026 season on the bench.
The Raiders announced that 38-year-old Kirk Cousins will be QB1 when they host the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13.
Las Vegas has uncertainty along the offensive line and may not want to subject Mendoza to potential punishment so early. He completed 25-of-45 passes for 240 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.
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Fernando Mendoza of Indiana football plays for Las Vegas Raiders in NFL preseason debut
Cousins completed 13-of-17 passes for 101 yards and 1 touchdown in preseason action, prompting coach Klint Kubiak's decision.
Raiders general manager John Spytek is confident Mendoza will get a chance.
"(Mendoza's) time is coming, but he's got to earn it every day, and he knows that," Spytek said. "I think we're all very pleased with the person and his work ethic and his commitment to being a great quarterback."
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