The Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman winner and No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, to eventually lead the offense under head coach Klint Kubiak, but veteran Kirk Cousins opened the season as starter and guided the team to a 3-2 record through Week 5. Mendoza received his first regular-season snaps in mop-up duty during a 45-17 loss to the Patriots, completing 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards without turnovers in a low-pressure situation. Multiple reports, including from ESPN, indicate the Raiders have no immediate plans to bench Cousins or elevate the rookie, citing the veteran's steady play, the team's competitive standing, and a desire to develop Mendoza gradually amid a challenging upcoming schedule that includes the Buffalo Bills. Official comments from Kubiak affirm Cousins remains the starter while praising Mendoza's debut reps as valuable preparation rather than a signal of imminent change.