Raiders Trade Veteran QB Cousins, Name Top Pick Mendoza Starter for Sunday Debut Against Seahawks
The Las Vegas Raiders announced on November 11 that Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft, is the team's starting quarterback. He will make his first career start at home this Sunday against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. A day earlier, at the trade deadline, the team sent veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins back to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft pick.
General manager John Spytek said on November 11 that the move does not mean the team is giving up on this season or looking ahead to 2027; at 4-5, the Raiders remain in the playoff race. Cousins started nine games for Las Vegas this season, completing 202 of 315 passes for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, with a 97.1 passer rating. Mendoza's only action came in Week 5 against the New England Patriots, when he completed 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards.
Head coach Klint Kubiak said he will not simplify the playbook for the rookie and will keep running the full offense. The Raiders started 3-0 before losing five of their next six. Mendoza's debut comes against a Seahawks team with one of the league's strongest defenses; kickoff is Sunday at 4:05 p.m. Eastern at Allegiant Stadium.
Source: ESPN
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Photo: 图：拉斯维加斯忠诚体育场。图片来源：Wikimedia Commons，Jon Konrath from Oakland, USA 摄，CC BY 2.0。 Image: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Source: Wikimedia Commons, photo by Jon Konrath from Oakland, USA, CC BY 2.0.
