Fernando Mendoza Set to Be Raiders' QB1 After Kirk Cousins Trade to Vikings at NFL Deadline

It's officially Fernando Mendoza time in Sin City.

The 2026 No. 1 overall pick is set to make his first career start for the Las Vegas Raiders against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday after veteran Kirk Cousins was dealt to the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday.

Las Vegas started the season with three straight wins before losing five of its next six games. Mendoza briefly saw action in a Week 5 loss to the New England Patriots, completing six of his eight passes for 48 yards in his professional debut. First-year head coach Klint Kubiak said after the team's Week 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams that he would evaluate "everything," including the quarterback position, but he ultimately stuck with Cousins for two more weeks.

The 38-year-old veteran threw for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Now, Mendoza will take over a Raiders offense that ranks eighth in the NFL with 26.4 points per game.

Mendoza is coming off a dream senior season at Indiana in which he won the Heisman Trophy and led the Hoosiers to an undefeated record and the national championship. He played in all three of Las Vegas' preseason games over the summer and threw one touchdown and two interceptions.

Mendoza's first start will come against a Seattle team that ranks first in total defense with 244.2 yards allowed per game. The rookie will try to get his career started on the right foot as the Raiders try to remain in the playoff race in the AFC.

Following Sunday's game against Seattle, Mendoza will face the Denver Broncos in Week 11 and Cleveland Browns in Week 12 before Vegas heads on its bye in Week 13.