QB · LV
transaction
FA: Aidan O'Connell dropped
sleeper-tx-free_agent+3 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Drops: Aidan O'Connell
Aidan O'Connell
QB · LV · 28 yrs · exp 3 · Purdue
Status
- Game status
- Active
Keep Trade Cut (SF TEP)
From latest snapshot · trend vs ~7d prior when data allows.
Value
493
Rank
#533
Pos rank
#71
7d trend
—
Value history (90d)
One snapshot point per calendar day (shown in your timezone).
Latest: Sep 5, 2026 · 493
News
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
QB · LV
QB · LV
general
Klint Kubiak open to naming Aidan O'Connell QB2, Fernando Mendoza QB3
Klint Kubiak open to naming Aidan O'Connell QB2, Fernando Mendoza QB3
general
Klint Kubiak open to naming Aidan O'Connell QB2, Fernando Mendoza QB3
Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza might start his rookie season as a third-stringer. Coach Klint Kubiak has not said who his starting quarterback is, but it’s widely expected to be Kirk Cousins. Kubiak was asked today whether, if Cousins is the starter, Mendoza or Aidan O’Connell will be the backup. And Kubiak said that decision has not yet been made. “We’ve got three guys that are ready to play. It’s going to be some hard decisions on who’s 1, who’s 2. That’s not a decision we have to make today, but those are discussions that are ongoing,” Kubiak said. It’s not often that the first overall pick in the draft starts his career on the third team, but Kubiak seems to be in no rush to get Mendoza on the field. It appears likely that Cousins is going to start the season with Mendoza on the sideline, and Mendoza may not get on the field early in the season even if Cousins goes down
general
Raiders' Klint Kubiak still won't name Week 1 QB starter, here's why all signs point to Kirk Cousins
Raiders' coach Klint Kubiak still hasn't named the Week 1 QB starter, but signs point to Kirk Cousins
general
5 Las Vegas Raiders players who stepped up against the Texans
Kirk Cousins is the starter, Fernando Mendoza is the future, but Aidan O’Connell refuses to be cut
general
Fernando Mendoza throws pick-six, leads Raiders to three points
Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza had a rough outing in his second preseason game, throwing a pick-six and leading the offense to only three points in the first half. Despite the struggles, veteran Maxx Crosby offered words of encouragement, highlighting Mendoza's work ethic and attitude. Mendoza was replaced by Aidan O'Connell to start the second half
QB · LV
general
Is Aidan O’Connell on hot seat?Las Vegas Raiders 53-man roster prediction ahead of Houston Texans preseason game
Updating last week’s roster prediction with one preseason game in the books
general
Klint Kubiak considering giving Fernando Mendoza more first-team reps
Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza acquitted himself well in his preseason debut, completing 10-of-16 passes for 97 yards with a touchdown in his 31 offensive snaps. Head coach Klint Kubiak has been consistent in saying that Kirk Cousins is the team’s starting quarterback. But did Mendoza make enough of an impression to earn some more first-team reps? “We’re going to put a plan together this week and that’s something that we’re talking about as a coaching staff right now,” Kubiak said in his Friday video conference. “But, whether it’s Aidan O’Connell, Kirk, or Fernando — I would say all three of those guys deserve first-team reps. But we’ve got to go put a plan together on how we’re going to split them up.” Generally, Kubiak said he liked what he saw from Mendoza last night, even as the quarterback was self-critical postgame. “The best quarterbacks I’ve been around are the ones who are hard on themselves,” Kubiak said. “They put the finger on them before they put it on their teammates. I think he played good football last night and is going to continue to get better. “I think the thing that stood out for me again is we put a lot on his plate and all the quarterbacks’ plates getting read for this preseason game, and he went out and executed the way that he does in practice,” Kubiak added. “Some guys, they get to the game and things change on them. It moves fast and they freak out. He was the opposite. He was very calm, he was getting the calls in, he was seeing coverage well. I like the way that he moved in the pocket, got outside, and extended some plays. So, I think that Fernando has had a really good week of practice and the things that he did in the game are things I’ve seen him do in practice. He’s consistent. That consistency from the position is important. I didn’t see any gameday surprises just because the moment was a little bit big. He was the same guy.” The Raiders will be in Houston for a joint practice with the Texans next week before the two teams play each other on Thursday night
general
Fernando Mendoza is listed as QB2 in first Raiders' depth chart
As expected, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft has landed at No. 2 on the first 2026 Raiders depth chart . The preliminary configuration of players has been released. Fernando Mendoza is listed as the backup to Kirk Cousins at the quarterback position. The third quarterback is Aidan O’Connell, who has 17 starts in three seasons with the team. Jacob Clark, an undrafted rookie from Missouri State, is listed as the fourth-string quarterback. The Raiders seem to be intent on starting the season with Cousins under center, and to not having a true competition between Cousins and Mendoza. It’s an approach that cuts against the modern approach of getting highly-drafted quarterbacks ready and putting them on the field, if only to give them the reps that will help the game slow down for them sooner rather than later. The initial Las Vegas depth chart contains no real surprises. If Mendoza isn’t playing by the end of the 2026 season, that will be a major surprise. The overriding question is whether the Raiders have enough talent to compete in a top-heavy AFC West. On paper, they don’t. It will be up to them to defy that once the real games begin
general
Getting Fernando Mendoza, Aidan O’Connell game-ready vital for Raiders
Kirk Cousins is starting quarterback but development, comfort level of backup signal callers important for Las Vegas
general
Raiders Mailbag: If Kirk Cousins gets injured, is Fernando Mendoza or Aidan O’Connell next man up?
Returning Raider Nation’s questions for the week
analyst
Kirk Cousins, Maxx Crosby Held Out After Friday Altercation
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive end Maxx Crosby will both be held out of Saturday's practice after violating team rules during Friday's altercation, according to Adam Schefter. Head coach Klint Kubiak made the decision after the two got into it during team drills. Crosby made contact with Cousins on multiple plays before the veteran quarterback shoved him and grabbed his jersey, prompting teammates to step in and separate them. No punches were reported. Cousins enters the preseason as Las Vegas' starting quarterback after throwing for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions across 10 games with Atlanta last season. Kubiak has already identified Cousins as the starter, with first overall pick Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell working behind him. Saturday's absence gives both younger quarterbacks some additional reps while Cousins serves the one-practice discipline alongside Crosby
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Fernando Mendoza 2026 NFL props picks, trends: Why recent history says Raiders Under 6 wins is smart wager
CBS Sports HQ is making its way to NFL training camps -- they are all now open -- and will visit Henderson, Nev., on Wednesday to break down the new-look Las Vegas Raiders . They have a new starting quarterback in 2025 Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and a new head coach in Klint Kubiak. Both won a championship last season: Mendoza at Indiana and Kubiak as the offensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks . Thus, they will become the first rookie starting QB and first rookie head coach duo in NFL history both coming off championship seasons -- that is, when Mendoza wins the job. The Hoosiers averaged 41.6 points last season, third-best in FBS. The Seahawks averaged 28.4 PPG, third-best in the NFL. Las Vegas was last in the league in 2025 in scoring at 14.2 PPG. Wager on the NFL with the latest FanDuel promo code and get up to $1,000 in bet resets when you bet $5 for 5 days: I'm assuming that Mendoza will be under center Week 1 at home vs. Miami, with the Raiders opening at -3.5. They might not be bigger favorites all season, as the Dolphins are in an even earlier stage of rebuild than the Silver & Black are. Right after the draft, FanDuel offered odds on Las Vegas' Week 1 starting QB, and free-agent signee and veteran Kirk Cousins was the favorite then by a fair amount, but you can't bet that prop any longer, and all the books are listing Mendoza season props, so that hints that he should be the opening guy. Although on Tuesday when veterans reported to camp, Kubiak said Cousins will open as the No. 1 for Wednesday's first practice. "He's the guy, and he deserves it because he's played really good football," Kubiak said. "But I want Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell to push him." The coach added that Cousins took the majority of the first-team reps during the offseason program and looked "excellent" but that camp would also be a "moving target" as opposed to how many reps each quarterback will have with a particular group. Mendoza, who just signed his rookie contract last week, could be the seventh straight QB drafted No. 1 overall to start Week 1 as a rookie. As of now, he is a +425 second-favorite behind Arizona tailback Jeremiah Love for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and is given season Over/Under totals of 2,399.5 yards passing and 12.5 touchdown passes. That yardage total is the lowest on the DraftKings board by far. And those obviously aren't great numbers overall for a 17-game season, but it's probably the various sportsbooks hedging if Cousins does win the Week 1 job. You can't bet Cousins season totals. Check out Fernando Mendoza props and more NFL picks at DraftKings, where new users get $150 in bonus bets paid within 14 days after they spend $5+: Regardless of who wins the job, the Raiders will be the second franchise since 1950 to have a different Week 1 quarterback and head coach in four straight seasons, following the 2020-23 Houston Texans . Kubiak might want to have his resume ready, however, as four straight QBs drafted first overall had their head coach fired during their rookie season: Cam Ward (2025, Titans ), Caleb Williams (2024, Bears ), Bryce Young (2023, Panthers ) and Trevor Lawrence (2021, Jaguars ). Let's finish up with the Raiders' season win total, which is generally either set at 5.5 or 6.5 depending on your sportsbook or preference of price. I recommend taking 6.5 and leaning Under. Why? Six straight signal-callers drafted first overall have failed to win six games. The last who did was Baker Mayfield in 2018 with Cleveland, and he finished right at six. In fact, the only two QBs taken No. 1 overall who started as a rookie ( Carson Palmer did not) and won more than six games were Sam Bradford with seven in 2010 with the Rams and Andrew Luck with 11 in 2012 in Indianapolis. The past three Raiders Week 1 starters – since Derek Carr left -- have combined for a 7-23 mark with 35 TD throws and 36 interceptions in those seasons: Jimmy Garoppolo in 2023, Gardner Minshew in 2024 and G [... truncated ...]
general
Klint Kubiak: Kirk Cousins is the starting QB, Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell should push him
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has declared Kirk Cousins the starting quarterback for Week 1, emphasizing his strong performance in the spring and his deservingness of first-team reps. While Cousins is firmly entrenched as the starter, Kubiak also expects Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell to compete and push him during training camp, highlighting the importance of their development and how they handle adversity
general
Klint Kubiak: Kirk Cousins is the starting QB, Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell should push him
Klint Kubiak discusses the Raiders' quarterback situation
analyst
Kirk Cousins Opens Raiders Camp as Starting Quarterback
Kirk Cousins will begin Raiders training camp as the starting quarterback, according to head coach Klint Kubiak. While Cousins has the inside track for Week 1, No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell will also receive first-team reps and are expected to push him. Cousins brings familiarity with Kubiak's system from their time together in Minnesota
general
8 NFL rookies to watch in training camp and preseason
As NFL training camps begin, Yahoo Sports writers highlight eight rookies to watch, including Fernando Mendoza and Arvell Reese. Mendoza, the Raiders' No. 1 pick, may sit behind Kirk Cousins but is expected to play in preseason games. Reese, a hybrid defender from Ohio State, was a surprise pick for the Giants
general
Best- and worst-case scenario for Las Vegas Raiders’ 2026 NFL draft class during training camp
The Las Vegas Raiders’ rookies report to training camp on Thursday, meaning the Raiders’ 2026 NFL draft class will have its first chance to make a stamp on the roster soon. With that in mind, let’s dive into the best- and worst-case scenarios for each of Las Vegas ’ 10 draft picks during training camp. Best case: Win starting QB job While it seems like the coaching staff’s plan is for Kirk Cousins to begin the season as the starter, even Cousins has said that the best quarterback needs to be on the field. And let’s be honest, the “competition” is less about Cousins versus Mendoza and more about Mendoza battling himself. If the rookie proves that he’s ready to be thrown into the fire during camp, he should be the Week 1 starter. Worst case: Falling behind Aidan O’Connell It’s completely reasonable for the No. 1 pick to begin the year on the bench and take some time to get adjusted to the NFL before being ready for action. However, if he doesn’t prove capable of at least holding down the backup job, then that could be a bad sign that the franchise is in trouble. Best case: Win starting FS job The Raiders’ defense desperately needs someone on the backend who can create turnovers. That’s a big reason why Stukes likely enters training camp as the favorite to take over for Isaiah Pola-Mao at free safety. Ball skills are one of the Arizona product’s biggest strengths, making him exactly what the secondary needs right now. Worst case: Struggle to find a position While the second-rounder is a versatile defender, sometimes those types of prospects can have a hard time finding a home in the NFL because they fall into the “jack of all trades, master of none” category. That has the potential to happen with Stukes, especially since he was primarily a nickelback and had very little experience playing free safety in college. Best case: Become third-down rusher As long as Maxx Crosby is on the roster, it’s hard to see Crawford winning a starting job over Crosby and free agent signing Kwity Paye in year one. However, it’s not out of the question for the third-round pick to beat out Malcolm Koonce as the defense’s third-down rusher. Koonce is living off an impressive nine-game run during the second half of the 2023 season, but he hasn’t done much outside of that stretch. That leaves the door open for the rookie to take over the role moving forward. Worst case: Fall into “healthy scratch” category Even if he’s awful in training camp, it’s highly unlikely that the 67th overall pick will get cut. But he is a project who needs development, and it wouldn’t be out of the question for a Top 100 selection to barely see the field as a rookie. Just ask Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant . The depth chart at edge is already crowded with Crosby, Paye and Koonce at the top, while Cian Slone and Brennan Jackson are also looking to make names for themselves to put some pressure on Crawford. Best case: Become a surprise starter Zuhn coming out of camp with a starting job would be a surprise since he isn’t a favorite to win either guard battle or take over at right tackle. But he should be in the mix at both spots, and it isn’t like Spencer Burford , Jackson Powers-Johnson, Rogers, Jordan Meredith , DJ Glaze and Charles Grant are such heavy favorites that the rookie third-round pick doesn’t have a fighter’s chance. Worst case: Fall into “healthy scratch” category On the other side of the coin, there is a world where 2026 is a “redshirt year” for Zuhn, especially since he’s another versatile player who will be finding his true position at the next level. That doesn’t mean the third-round pick will be a bust and never see the field during his tenure in Las Vegas, but it would certainly be underwhelming if he doesn’t get much playing time as a rookie. Best case: Win a starting CB job It’s been said multiple times throughout the offseason that McCoy is the most talented corner on the Raiders’ roster, and his ability to become a starter is primarily jus [... truncated ...]
QB · LV
transaction
FA: Aidan O'Connell dropped
sleeper-tx-free_agent+4 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Drops: Aidan O'Connell
analyst
Brock Bowers Primed for a Monster Bounce-Back Season
Despite a disappointing sophomore season due to injuries and a shift in offensive scheme, Brock Bowers is expected to bounce back in 2026. New head coach Klint Kubiak's arrival and improved quarterback play with Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza should lead to a rise in targets for Bowers, who is already ranked as the top fantasy tight end by RotoBaller and is being considered a dark horse candidate for Offensive Player of the Year
Data comes from cached Sleeper and KTC snapshots. Values update when the sync jobs run.