The Las Vegas Raiders made the obvious move and grabbed Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. But before you pencil him in as the Week 1 starter, pump the brakes. Head coach Klint Kubiak has made it clear he prefers a more patient approach with his rookie signal-caller.
Mendoza lit up college football in 2025, completing 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. Those numbers scream franchise quarterback. But the Raiders have a veteran insurance policy in Kirk Cousins, who signed a deal that guarantees him $20 million this season regardless of whether he plays or rides the bench.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the organization is hoping Cousins can hold down the starting job for the entire 2026 campaign. That would give Mendoza a full season to learn the playbook, adjust to the NFL speed, and absorb wisdom from a 13-year pro.
Kubiak didn't mince words about his philosophy. "Ideally, you don't want him to start from day one," he told Fox Sports. "You'd love him to be able to learn behind somebody. That's in a perfect world. It doesn't always work out that way. Sometimes they have to play from day one and it's our job as coaches to get them ready to go. I think it does help the player if they can sit behind a mature adult and watch how they run the show."
Cousins, who spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons, completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2025. Not a disastrous season, but not the kind of production that makes a rookie untouchable. If Cousins stumbles in training camp or the preseason, the pressure to unleash Mendoza will intensify.
There's also the wild card of Tom Brady, who has already delivered a blunt message to the Raiders' No. 1 pick: "I'm not going to be all lovey-dovey". Brady's no-nonsense approach could either accelerate Mendoza's development or make him realize he's not ready for prime time.
Of course, the Raiders could always flip the script if Cousins falters early. Mendoza's upside is undeniable, and sitting him for an entire season might be a luxury Kubiak can't afford if the team is struggling. But for now, the plan is clear: let the rookie learn, let the veteran lead, and hope that patience pays off in the long run.
Meanwhile, the rest of the league is watching. The Rams drafted Ty Simpson and are wondering if Matthew Stafford's clock is ticking. The Raiders are taking a different route—one that prioritizes a slow burn over an instant spark.
Will it work? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the Raiders are building for the future, and they're not afraid to let their star pupil sit in the classroom before he takes the final exam.
