NFL6 hr ago
Raiders Move Up Mendoza Start After Cousins Trade
Rookie steps in sooner than planned as Las Vegas shifts focus to development
· 1 min read
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The Raiders entered the season with a clear approach for their top draft pick. They added a veteran to handle early games and built a coaching staff to support the rookie's growth behind the scenes. That timeline shifted when the veteran was sent away at the deadline, forcing Fernando Mendoza into the starting role with the team at 4-5.
Careful Setup for First-Year Quarterback
Las Vegas hired an offensive-minded coach and added assistants focused on quarterbacks. The plan included time for the rookie to watch and learn while the roster gained experience. Similar paths worked for some top picks who sat early, though outcomes have varied widely across recent drafts.
No Perfect Formula for Timing
From 2006 to 2025, most top-10 quarterbacks started within the first eight games. A small group waited longer. The Raiders hoped to follow one of the rarer examples where a rookie stayed on the bench through most of the year, but the trade changed that path.
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