The Las Vegas Raiders are rolling into the 2026 NFL season with Kirk Cousins under center as their starting quarterback, kicking off Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. While it’s not a shocker Cousins got the nod over No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza for the opener, ESPN’s Dan Graziano just dropped an updated projection that might have Raiders fans groaning. Mendoza’s potential NFL debut? All the way in November, two full months into the regular season. Talk about a slow play!
Raiders Playing the Long Game With Their Top Pick
Graziano’s report makes it clear: the Raiders are dead set on patience. “It stands to reason the Raiders want to see him start at some point this season, but they have been adamant that they don’t want to play him until he’s ready and they feel ready to put in position to succeed,” Graziano wrote. That’s a strong statement, and unless Cousins goes down or the team completely flips their strategy, Mendoza is glued to the bench until November. It’s one thing to have Cousins start Week 1; it’s another to hear their plan likely means no Mendoza until mid-season. That’s a tough pill for any fanbase with a shiny No. 1 pick to swallow.
A Gauntlet Awaits If Mendoza Debuts in November
If Mendoza doesn’t hit the field until November, the earliest possible start date would be Week 8 on November 1, a road matchup against the New York Jets. And let me tell you, that’s just the start of a serious gauntlet for a rookie QB. After the Jets, the Raiders are slated to face the San Francisco 49ers, our very own Seattle Seahawks, and the Denver Broncos. Yikes! That’s a brutal welcome to the NFL for anyone, let alone a guy making his first pro start. You gotta wonder if that’s really putting him in a “position to succeed” like they say they want to.
The Raiders could wait even longer. There’s a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, followed by a bye in Week 13. That could be their real strategic play, giving Mendoza a game, then a week off, and then a “much more palatable schedule” to finish out the season. Regardless of the exact date, the message is loud and clear: Raiders fans better settle in. It looks like it’ll be a long wait before their No. 1 overall pick actually suits up and plays meaningful football this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply