Raiders Plan to Start Kirk Cousins Over No. 1 Pick Mendoza

The Raiders have decided their opening week starter will be Kirk Cousins, the 38-year-old veteran quarterback, with Fernando Mendoza—the team's No. 1 overall draft pick—beginning the season as a backup. The decision prioritizes immediate competitive performance over a full rookie immersion, giving Mendoza time to adjust to the professional game before seeing significant playing time.

The veteran approach. Cousins brings experience and an established track record to the position. At 38 years old, he has limited time remaining in his career, but the Raiders are banking on his professionalism and knowledge to give the team its best chance to win games in the short term. This strategy allows the franchise to field a competitive roster while developing its long-term quarterback solution on the sideline.

Mendoza's timeline. Drafting a quarterback with the first overall pick represents a massive organizational commitment, and the Raiders clearly believe Mendoza has significant potential. However, starting him immediately carries real risk—rookie quarterbacks often struggle with NFL speed, coverage complexity, and decision-making. By easing him in as a backup, the team hopes to accelerate his learning curve without putting him in impossible situations.

What's at stake. This arrangement also affects how bettors should view Raiders games and player props throughout the season. If Cousins struggles, pressure to insert Mendoza will mount quickly. Conversely, if Cousins plays well, the team may delay Mendoza's debut indefinitely. Either way, the Raiders have signaled they expect to be competitive this year—a bet the oddsmakers will factor into preseason and regular season lines.

Source: original report ↗