Watch Fernando Mendoza Make NFL Debut for Raiders as Kirk Cousins Benched vs. Patriots

The top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft made his debut on Sunday.

With the Las Vegas Raiders facing a blowout against the New England Patriots, the team turned to Fernando Mendoza to replace Kirk Cousins under center in the fourth quarter.

Cousins had been solid at quarterback despite the blowout, throwing for 243 yards and a touchdown, but that wasn't enough on a day when Drake Maye threw for 374 yards and four touchdowns.

While Mendoza's time on the field was limited, he held his own against the Patriots, throwing for 48 yards on 6-of-8 passing. He got the Raiders into the red zone on his only drive, but Las Vegas turned it over on downs.

Despite coming in late for the Raiders, it's fair to assume Mendoza will remain the backup for the time being. Cousins has had a strong start to the season with 1,269 yards and 12 touchdowns through five games, helping Las Vegas begin the year 3-2.

Cousins is playing the 2026 season on a one-year, $11.3 million deal, though, so the Raiders' plan is likely for Mendoza to learn behind the veteran this year before taking over as the starter in 2027.

"It's just a matter of time before it really gets to a point where he looks back and he says, 'Man, I really feel like I've got this,'" Cousins said of Mendoza last month.

While Mendoza will have to wait a bit to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, confidence around the 23-year-old has to be high. Last year at Indiana, he threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and six interceptions on his way to a Heisman Trophy and a national championship.

He reached a new milestone on Sunday by getting his first NFL action, and he'll look to make the most of his next opportunity when it comes.