Mendoza remains backup as Raiders face Bills in Week 6
Fernando Mendoza will not start for the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, despite a solid NFL debut last week that had fans calling for a change at quarterback. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is healthy and listed as the backup, but head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed that veteran Kirk Cousins remains the starter.
“Kirk is the starter, and if Fernando is called upon, he’ll be ready to go just like he was yesterday,” Kubiak said Monday, per The Athletic’s Sam Warren. Mendoza saw his first regular-season action in Week 5 against the New England Patriots, entering with just over six minutes left in a 45-17 blowout. He completed 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards on his lone drive, showing poise but also missing a potential completion on fourth down. Kubiak praised Mendoza’s preparation and speed, calling it “a solid start,” but made clear the plan hasn’t changed.
Cousins’ strong play keeps Mendoza on bench
Cousins has been efficient through five games, throwing for 1,269 yards and 12 touchdowns with four interceptions, good for a 64.6 QBR. His 12 touchdown passes are tied for second in the NFL, and his 65.1% completion rate is well above last season’s mark. The Raiders opened 3-0 before dropping close games to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Patriots. Despite the two-game skid, the coaching staff believes Cousins gives the team the best chance to win now.
“Kirk is the starter, but if Fernando’s number is called, we have confidence in him,” Kubiak added. The Bills, preparing for Cousins, won’t have to account for Mendoza’s mobility unless the game turns into another blowout. Buffalo’s secondary has struggled this season, which could allow Cousins to move the ball through the air.
Context: When will Mendoza take over?
The Raiders’ decision to keep Mendoza on the bench is not surprising given their offseason plan to develop him slowly. However, the timeline for his first start remains uncertain. According to a prediction market on Kalshi, Mendoza has a 63% chance of starting between Weeks 11-14 and a 25% chance of not starting at all this season. Only 10% believe he’ll start in Week 6, and 13% predict Weeks 7-8.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon predicts Mendoza won’t take over until Week 12 against the Cleveland Browns, giving Cousins a long leash. “The Raiders, who have a dreadful schedule between now and the end of November, will likely have fallen out of the playoff picture by the time they play Cleveland,” Gagnon wrote. Indeed, Las Vegas faces the Rams, Jets, 49ers, Seahawks, and Broncos in the coming weeks—a gauntlet that could sink their season.
Schedule could force change
If the Raiders continue to lose, pressure to play Mendoza will mount. ESPN’s Ben Solak argued that Cousins’ lack of mobility and struggles under pressure justify accelerating Mendoza’s timeline. “It’s hard to win those first three games ... then lose two ... and not wonder if the team is closer to contention than expected,” Solak wrote. The Raiders’ next stretch includes tough defenses, and if Cousins falters, Kubiak may have no choice but to turn to the rookie.
Perspective: Development vs. competition
The Mendoza situation highlights a broader NFL trend: teams drafting quarterbacks high are increasingly torn between letting them sit and learn behind veterans or thrusting them into action to spark a struggling team. The Raiders’ approach mirrors that of other organizations that prefer a patient developmental plan, but fan pressure and media scrutiny can accelerate the process. With Cousins playing well statistically, the Raiders can afford to wait—but only if the wins follow. If the losses pile up, the calls for Mendoza will grow louder, and the organization’s commitment to its plan will be tested.
For now, Mendoza remains the future, but the present belongs to Cousins. As the season unfolds, the question will linger: when will the future arrive?
Comments