Fernando Mendoza opens up about his emotions after being benched for Kirk Cousins in Week 1
Mendoza will be on the bench during Week 1, when the Raiders host the Dolphins
Since the start of training camp, new head coach Klint Kubiak has been clear that the veteran Kirk Cousins will command the offense as the Week 1 starter against Miami, a calculated strategy signed off in the offseason to shield Fernando Mendoza from being rushed immediately into the pro fire.
For an organization that has endured 18 losing seasons and just two playoff appearances since their last Super Bowl trip in 2002, the excitement around the future remains sky-high regardless of how early growing pains manifest.
This patient approach mirrors the developmental blueprints of legendary signal-callers like Tom Brady , Aaron Rodgers , and Patrick Mahomes , all of whom spent their rookie campaigns observing from the clipboard rather than facing bullets right away.
Fernando Mendoza Embraces Backup Role in Las Vegas
Entering his rookie campaign with monumental expectations after capturing the Heisman Trophy and a national championship at Indiana before the Las Vegas Raiders made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft , Mendoza offered a surprisingly grounded perspective during a Good Morning America appearance.
Reflecting on the choice to hold him back to open the year, the 22-year-old playmaker admitted that while it might sound unconventional, he is fully aligned with the franchise's collective vision.
"It feels great. And that might be not what you’re expecting to hear. However, I am all for whatever the team wants and whatever is best for the team," Mendoza stated, emphasizing his commitment to supporting Cousins and serving as an ideal teammate while waiting in the wings.
That team-first mentality arrives on the heels of a dazzling collegiate run where he threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns for the Hoosiers, alongside 276 rushing yards and 7 rushing scores on 90 carries.
Rather than rushing their prized rookie into action, Las Vegas is prioritizing long-term stability under their new leadership structure, surrounding their future with weapons like running back Ashton Jeanty and elite tight end Brock Bowers , though Bowers faces a brief multi-week recovery window.
The Raiders officially kick off their schedule hosting the Miami Dolphins on September 13 , followed immediately by tough divisional road tests against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2 and the New Orleans Saints in Week 3
