Fernando Mendoza Era with Raiders Starts After Kirk Cousins Trade
- On Tuesday, the Las Vegas Raiders traded veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings, naming Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, as the new starting quarterback.
- The organization signed Cousins to a $20 million guarantee as a placeholder while preparing Mendoza to take over. Team officials always intended for the rookie to lead the franchise under first-year head coach Klint Kubiak.
- Cousins exits after nine games with 2,340 yards and 20 touchdowns on 64.1% accuracy, while Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, has appeared in one game, completing six of eight passes for 48 yards.
- Las Vegas receives a Day 2 draft pick in return. Cousins told The Athletic he believes Mendoza "has a great future ahead," adding that he enjoyed helping the rookie develop during their time together.
- Mendoza makes his first start Sunday at Allegiant Stadium against the Seattle Seahawks, a defense widely rated as the league's top unit over the past year and a half. The rookie faces an immediate high-stakes challenge.
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Kirk Cousins passes torch to Fernando Mendoza with one final message
The torch has officially been passed from Kirk Cousins to Fernando Mendoza. After Cousins was shipped from the Raiders to the Vikings in an NFL trade deadline blockbuster on Tuesday, Mendoza and Cousins said they’re both thankful for their time together. Kirk Cousins suited up in a Raiders uniform for the last time Sunday. Cousins...
Empieza la era Fernando Mendoza en Las Vegas: los Raiders traspasan a Kirk Cousins a los Vikings
Por Federico Leiva, CNN en Español La era Fernando Mendoza en la NFL podría comenzar oficialmente el próximo fin de semana, después de que los Raiders de Las Vegas —el equipo que seleccionó al mariscal de campo estadounidense de raíces cubanas— enviaran a su quarterback titular, Kirk Cousins, de vuelta a los Vikings de Minnesota,
¿Empieza la era Fernando Mendoza en Las Vegas? Los Raiders traspasan a Kirk Cousins a los Vikings
Por Federico Leiva, CNN en Español La era Fernando Mendoza en la NFL podría comenzar oficialmente el próximo fin de semana, después de que los Raiders de Las Vegas —el equipo que seleccionó al mariscal de campo estadounidense de raíces cubanas— enviaran a su quarterback titular, Kirk Cousins, de vuelta a los Vikings de Minnesota,
Fernando Mendoza set to make Raiders debut against Seahawks
Fernando Mendoza, the former Indiana University quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy and a national championship, is set to take over the Las Vegas Raiders’ offense after the team agreed to trade Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings. Mendoza’s first game as the Raiders’ starter is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, hosting the defending champion […]
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