Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images Klint Kubiak has officially named Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders. It is the news that many had already anticipated heading into the Week One game against the Miami Dolphins. The news has now, however, officially been confirmed that the first overall pick from the 2026 NFL Draft, Fernando Mendoza, will begin the season as QB2. Mendoza experienced a real mixed bag during the preseason, with plenty of positives and negatives to be taken from his performances. Kubiak has opted for the safer option of selecting the experienced Cousins as their starter, which has prompted fans from all across the league to share their predictions for when Mendoza could feature. Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images NFL fans predict when Fernando Mendoza will become the Las Vegas Raiders starting QB Following their opener against the Dolphins, the Raiders’ schedule quickly becomes extremely daunting, with games against the Chiefs, Patriots, Bills, Rams, Seahawks and Broncos all by Week 11. Cousins is going to have a difficult task on his hands, which has many fans feeling that Mendoza could be set for some starts during the run-in. ‘Kirk starts September & October, Mendoza takes over in November I think,’ one fan replied on X.
‘Gotta get through Kirktober before Mendovember,’ another fan said. Mendoza played a good chunk of football during the preseason, with Kubiak clearly feeling not enough was shown by the rookie to earn the QB1 spot in Vegas. Another fan responded; ‘Kirk Cousins will be on the bench by Week 10’. ‘Mendoza plays Week 15 and onward,’ added another. Although the first overall pick was spent on Mendoza, there should be no major pressure on him to become the starter straight away. There have been plenty of first-round picks over the years rushed into the starting side who flop as a result. One fan predicted Mendoza to be the starter as soon as October: ‘Mendoza starter by Week 7?’ Whilst another fan added: ‘If Cousins start 1-4, Nando coming in Week 6. If Cousins starts 2-3 or better, Nando waits Week to Week after that.’ Read more:
‘Delusional’ – NFL fans tear into Skip Bayless over his Minnesota Vikings prediction Browns assistant GM’s sweatshirt angers fans over a month after Myles Garrett trade to Rams Tyreek Hill breaks his silence on ‘friendship’ with viral NFL scammer Daejon Love