Fernando Mendoza Named Raiders Starting QB Following Kirk Cousins Trade to Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings acquired quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft pick ahead of the trade deadline.
Tom Pelissero of The Ringer reported the blockbuster deal, which reunites the four-time Pro Bowl passer with his former franchise.
The departure of Cousins opens the starting quarterback job for rookie Fernando Mendoza, according to ESPN. Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and reigning Heisman Trophy winner out of Indiana University, will take over as the Raiders’ starter from here on out.
“Raiders No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza will now take over as the starting QB following Kirk Cousins' trade to Minnesota,” Adam Schefter wrote on X.
Las Vegas general manager John Spytek and Kubiak preferred starting a veteran and letting the rookie learn from the sideline. Mendoza spent almost the entirety of the 2026 season as the No. 2 quarterback behind Cousins, appearing in just one game during a Week 5 loss to the New England Patriots where he completed six of eight passes for 48 yards.
He became the first quarterback selected with the top pick to not start in Week 1 of his rookie season since Baker Mayfield in 2018.
Raiders No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza will now take over as the starting QB following Kirk Cousins’ trade to Minnesota. Las Vegas is 4-5, and Mendoza’s first two career starts will come against the Seahawks and Broncos, two of the NFL’s top defenses. pic.twitter.com/KFz0OfJt2J
Cousins departs a 4-5 Raiders team sitting third in the AFC West. The 38-year-old veteran threw for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions with a 97.1 passer rating this season. His final appearance as a Raider included three second-half interceptions in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers, though he previously drove the team to its four wins.
Mendoza inherits a schedule featuring immediate tests against the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos. His upcoming slate also includes matchups against the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
For Minnesota, the trade addresses offensive struggles by bringing back a familiar signal-caller. Cousins steps into a quarterback room that includes Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz.
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