Fernando Mendoza role ahead of Week 2. (Image via Getty)
Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza is back in the spotlight heading into Sunday’s Week 2 divisional clash against the Los Angeles Chargers. In Week 1 against the Dolphins, Cousins completed just one of seven passes on throws 10 or more yards downfield, also throwing two interceptions on those attempts. For a 38-year-old signed to bridge the gap to the franchise’s future, those are numbers that raise eyebrows quickly. Mendoza stood on the sideline during last week’s season opener, watching as Las Vegas dominated a Dolphins side that looks like a serious 2027 draft lottery contender.
That said, the question of how long Cousins holds onto the job is louder this week than it was seven days ago. It is not just a depth chart shuffle — it raises a legitimate question about how soon the first overall pick could see meaningful action. Kirk Cousins remains the Raiders’ starter heading into Sunday’s divisional matchup at Allegiant Stadium. Mendoza is listed as the backup after O’Connell was ruled out for personal reasons, meaning the rookie is now one play away from getting his first regular-season reps. The win was convincing, but the opponent made it hard to draw too many conclusions about Cousins’ arm.
With backup Aidan O’Connell ruled out for personal reasons, the Raiders enter today’s game with only two quarterbacks available, putting Mendoza squarely in the backup role. No, Fernando Mendoza will not start today’s game against the Chargers.
If that pressure piles up and the passing game stalls again, the conversation around Mendoza’s debut will shift from “eventually” to “now.” The calls for Mendoza will get louder. That is just the reality when you draft a player first overall and the starter’s most glaring weakness is showing up on tape in back-to-back weeks.