After recording 112 receptions and being named a first-team All-Pro as a rookie in 2024, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers battled through an injury-marred sophomore campaign in 2025. The 23-year-old was clearly hampered while playing through a knee injury that he suffered in Week 1 and eventually ended the season on Injured Reserve. However, Bowers is reportedly fully healthy heading into 2026. The Raiders should also have a significantly improved offensive environment in the upcoming year, hiring Klint Kubiak as their new head coach and play-caller and revamping their quarterback room with veteran Kirk Cousins and 2026 number one overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Bowers profiles as the clear number one option in the Las Vegas passing game and could have a chance to exceed the 153 targets he earned as a rookie. While Bowers' stock may be slightly down following his disappointing 2025 production, he remains an elite fantasy tight end ahead of 2026
Fernando Mendoza and the Las Vegas Raiders have a deal. Mendoza and the Raiders agreed to terms on the quarterback’s rookie contract, the team announced Thursday , July 23. Mendoza deal is valued at $57. 2 million. As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Mendoza’s rookie deal was slotted and predetermined, but top draft picks, especially quarterbacks, have some leverage. Signing bonus cash flow, guaranteed money details and offset language are negotiable terms in rookie contracts. The top four quarterbacks selected in this year’s draft – Mendoza, Ty Simpson , Carson Beck and Drew Allar – were all unsigned as of Wednesday morning . The Arizona Cardinals signed Beck to his rookie deal Wednesday afternoon . Cardinals rookies reported to training camp on Wednesday, so there was a sense of urgency to sign Beck. The same can be said for Mendoza as Raiders rookies reported to camp on Thursday. Mendoza’s signing bonus is what stalled the quarterback from originally signing his rookie deal with the Raiders, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to discuss such deals. Single lump sum payments have become customary for No. 1 overall picks. The last No. 1 pick that didn’t receive their signing bonus in a single lump sum payment was Kyler Murray when he was drafted No. 1 overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft. A person familiar with the Raiders process told USA TODAY Sports the Raiders’ standard practice is paying signing bonuses in instalments. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Now that Mendoza and the Raiders have settled their contract situation, the rookie quarterback can now turn his focus on Year 1 with the Silver and Black. The Raiders signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason. Cousins is expected to start the season while the Raiders take a conservative approach with Mendoza, a quarterback they hope is their franchise quarterback. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Top pick Fernando Mendoza reports to Raiders camp, signs contract
The Atlanta Falcons have had a quarterback problem for years, a statement blindingly obvious to anyone who has been an Atlanta Falcons fan over the past few seasons. Since 2022, when the Falcons hastily traded Matt Ryan to Indianapolis in the wake of a failed effort to trade for Deshaun Watson , they’ve started Marcus Mariota , Desmond Ridder , Taylor Heinicke , Kirk Cousins , and Michael Penix Jr.; that’s more than one starter per season. In fact, they’ve had two different quarterbacks starting for the team in each of those four years, and they have not had one true franchise guy at any point in that span. Penix could still be that player, but it’s hardly a given. We enter 2026 with Penix recovering from ACL surgery, one of many such surgeries in his college and now NFL career, and with very little on-field to suggest he’s a potentially elite quarterback. He’s competing with Tua Tagovailoa, who is coming off a dismal season with the Dolphins where he was benched, and has dealt with scary concussions throughout his career. The only guys behind them are big-armed undrafted free agent Jack Strand and journeyman backup Trevor Siemien, so there’s very little chance of a Cinderella story if Tua and Penix don’t pan out. That makes the quarterback battle crucial on two fronts. It’s obviously important for this year, because the better player needs to have the reins of an offense richly veined with playmakers to help these Falcons shake off eight straight losing seasons and recapture hope and competence. But it’s also important for next year, because any outcome outside of Penix seizing this job and excelling will likely have the Falcons looking to draft, sign, or trade for a potential franchise option. The Falcons don’t want to continue to squander their talent. Bijan Robinson was the league’s most productive running back last year, leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage, but was stuck on a team that had a frequently anemic passing attack and blew far too many games. Drake London and Kyle Pitts are game-changing talents who have dealt with streaky, inconsistent passers throughout their careers. Jahan Dotson , Zachariah Branch, and Austin Hooper offer real talent—and in the case of Branch, really intriguing potential—but could see their production blunted if the quarterback position isn’t effectively settled. A great quarterback would have a passing attack with this many weapons humming. A good quarterback would have it looking capable, at minimum. As we’ve seen over the years, promising but inconsistent quarterbacks and shaky ones alike have conspired to make it look elite for shining moments and disappointing for long stretches. The Falcons badly need to figure out whether Tua or Penix is the right fit for these weapons and this passing attack. At his best, Tua can deliver timely, very accurate passes in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field, a skill set that plays well with the YAC capabilities of Bijan, Brian Robinson , London, and Branch, as well as Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees’ screen designs. Penix has been more inconsistent across the board in his brief career, but his ability to attack defenses deep opens up potentially devastating big plays for London, Pitts, and Dotson. There are significant stylistic differences here that might come into play if this ends up being a very close battle, but the likelier outcome is simply that one of these quarterbacks is more healthy and effective this summer and wins the battle outright well before preseason wraps. At the moment, my money would be on Tua, who had a head start as the healthy player earlier this summer and should be able to reliably pepper his supporting cast with short-to-intermediate passes the way Kirk Cousins did at his best last year. Whoever wins, however, will need to be good enough to at least partially unlock this passing game’s significant potential, lest their backup catapult past them midseason. Let’s say Tua grabs the starting job and lands som
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The quarterback competition in Las Vegas won’t be a competition if it never becomes one. If it’s a truly open competition, the first overall pick in the draft presumably should be able to beat a 37-year-old veteran who had no clear starting opportunities elsewhere in the league. With all due respect to Kirk Cousins (who has been a very good quarterback and an even better businessman), the first overall pick in any draft should be able to win a full and fair competition with Cousins at this point in his career. (Unless the first overall pick isn’t a quarterback.) One way to keep the veterans on the team from revolting when it comes to the decision to not use Mendoza would be to minimize Mendoza’s chances to show that he’s the better option. Which may explain the recent suggestion from Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated that the Raiders “ will sprinkle Mendoza in with the first team ” during training camp. Of course, if Mendoza makes the most out of the sprinkling, the flow could increase. If a limited apples-to-apples comparison makes it clear to the established players on the team (starting with defensive end Maxx Crosby and tight end Brock Bowers) that Mendoza could be the Johnny Appleseed for a forest of playoff appearances, the mood could shift, quickly. The balance for the Raiders, if they’re committed to keeping Mendoza in the garage for a year, will be to get him practice reps without making it clear that he should get more. And more. And more. The Chiefs pulled it off nine years ago with Patrick Mahomes because they were a perennial playoff team under Alex Smith. The Raiders have been to the playoffs twice since the 2002 season. The players on the team will want the guy who gives them the best chance not to win later, but to win now. Cousins has said the better player should play. As camp prepares to open, the question is whether Mendoza will get much of a chance to prove it — and whether he does enough with the “sprinkling” he gets to force the issue to the front burner
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
Every year around this time, the NFL sees veterans pick new homes. There are plenty of notable wide receivers still out on the market. Tyreek Hill , Stefon Diggs , DeAndre Hopkins and Keenan Allen are still free agents, as is former Pro Bowler Deebo Samuel . In his one season with the Washington Commanders , Samuel caught 72 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns. Those 727 yards receiving led the team, as fellow wide receiver Terry McLaurin and quarterback Jayden Daniels missed extensive time due to injuries. Maybe Samuel, at 30 years old, is no longer a dynamic threat capable of being named First Team All-Pro, but he's clearly still a weapon that can help any offense. Samuel recently posted a video on his YouTube page and said that this time has been hard for him. He's still waiting for that right opportunity to pop up -- something he's "more than ready" for. "I'm going on Year 8 … I still feel like I got a lot, at least like three, four good years left," Samuel said. "It's kind of been tough, not even going to lie to you. All the free agency stuff going on, waking up in the morning, looking at your phone, seeing if your agent hit you and was like, 'This team is interested,' or things along those lines. And it's been kind of like a roller coaster. Been through a lot, not just ball. With me and how I play this game it's just like no matter what I'm going through, no matter what I'm doing, if I'm able to perform, I'm going to go out there and put it on the line for my team." Where could Samuel sign in the near future? Let's take a look at a few options. This was a logical landing spot floated by CBS Sports analyst JP Acosta . The Las Vegas Raiders are one of the most-improved teams on paper. They added Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza to the quarterback room, then Kwity Paye , Quay Walker , Nakobe Dean , Taron Johnson and Treydan Stukes on defense. Headlined by Tre Tucker , Jalen Nailor , Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr , receiver may still be an area of weakness. Pairing a veteran slot weapon like Samuel with a veteran signal-caller like Cousins makes sense. As it stands, Brock Bowers is the only offensive weapon that can be relied on in Sin City. The Indianapolis Colts looked like the best team in football for the first few weeks of the season with the motivated Daniel Jones under center and electric Jonathan Taylor toting the rock. However, this wide receiving group could use some help. The Colts re-signed Alec Pierce with the largest contract in free-agency history for a wide receiver, but traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers . As it stands, Pierce, Josh Downs and Ashton Dulin are expected to be the starting wideouts. Downs has played primarily in the slot, but coach Shane Steichen admitted his team would look to play him more on the outside. Could that open the door for a veteran slot player? This landing spot was recommended by CBS Sports' Mike Renner. Some would claim the Cincinnati Bengals have one of the best wide receiving corps in the NFL with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins , but apart from those two pass-catchers, it's questionable. Andrei Iosivas is the No. 3, followed by players like Mitchell Tinsley , Charlie Jones and the rookie Colbie Young . Imagine Joe Burrow operating out of 11 personnel with Chase, Higgins and then Samuel running around in the slot. If the San Francisco 49ers have no interest in bringing Samuel back, maybe he could sign with their chief rival in the Los Angeles Rams . Sean McVay has Puka Nacua and Davante Adams catching passes from reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford , but that didn't stop the Rams from showing interest in A.J. Brown this offseason. Samuel wouldn't serve as a major pillar for one of the best offenses in the NFL, but the perfect versatile playmaker to be sprinkled in on a well-timed reverse or third-and-short. The Los Angeles Chargers ' offense is undergoing a major facelift with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. In his one season as the [... truncated ...]
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is no stranger to competing with a first-round pick in his first season with a new team, though the comparisons to his 2024 campaign with the Falcons end just below surface level. The Falcons shocked the football world by selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft weeks after signing Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal. In contrast, Fernando Mendoza was always going to wind up with the Raiders, even if his selection with the first overall pick was not made official until after Cousins had signed his two-year, $12.6 million bridge quarterback contract. With new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak preaching patience for Mendoza, Cousins is expected to start the season with the starting job and could be given plenty of leash in an offense that should show signs of improvement from a year ago. That said, the soon-to-be-38-year-old's per-game fantasy production has been on the decline for years, and little is expected of RotoBaller's QB33 in 2026
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
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A recent report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Media raised some eyebrows about the Las Vegas Raiders’ plan for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza this season. According to Rapoport, the team’s ideal plan for the No. 1 overall draft pick is to keep him on the shelf for his entire rookie season. Rapoport said the team would like to see Cousins, who was signed this offseason and who will turn 38 next month, play for the entire season. The Raiders have yet to publicly say what their plan is other than saying they do, indeed, have a quarterback plan. Both Las Vegas general manager John Spytek and head coach Klint Kubiak have said they would like to see rookie quarterbacks, in general, sit and learn in an ideal world. But an exact timeline for Mendoza hasn’t been announced. So, Rapoport’s report is interesting to suggest that Raiders would rather not insert Mendoza in the lineup att all in 2026. However, Rapoport made it clear there are no absolutes in this plan and he left plenty of outs for the plan to change. His point is if Cousins, who played under Kubiak for three successful seasons in Minnesota , plays well and stays healthy, there will be no reason to move away from him. Rapoport also mentioned Mendoza can simply steal the job if he plays well in the training camp and the preseason. So, in reality, this is simply a fluid situation. could Cousins play the entire year? Yes. Could Mendnza win the job by Week 1? Yes. It’s as simple and as complicated, at the same time, as that
With training camps opening up around the NFL this week, one of the main storylines to watch is the rookies. Will quarterback Fernando Mendoza outperform Kirk Cousins on the practice field in Vegas? Could Carnell Tate skyrocket up fantasy big boards by showing he has an automatic connection with Cam Ward ? Since several rookies are about to make headlines, this is a good time to revisit the odds for Offensive Rookie of the Year. You could probably guess the favorites. Over at DraftKings Sportsbook, No. 3 overall pick running back Jeremiyah Love of the Arizona Cardinals has the shortest odds at +400, followed by Mendoza at +425, Tate at +550, New Orleans Saints wideout Jordyn Tyson at +600 and Seattle Seahawks running back Jadarian Price rounding out the top five at +750. But what about some sleepers? Below, we will break down four Offensive Rookie of the Year sleepers to consider. These players will have odds listed outside of the top five with a minimum of +1000. The No. 20 overall pick of the Philadelphia Eagles is the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner, as he caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns for USC last season. Makai Lemon had four games in which he recorded 150 yards receiving and a touchdown in 2025, which tied a Big Ten single-season record, and recorded the most yards after catch (502) in the conference. Lemon wasn't just a playmaker after the catch, but also a deep-ball weapon. His 16 receptions of 20+ air yards were tied for third-most in the FBS. Lemon isn't A.J. Brown . He's a slot weapon, not a big-bodied perimeter threat. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, who played and learned under Sean McVay, could use a reliable playmaker like Lemon as a pillar in his new offense. I think it could be easy to scheme up quick touches for him. As the Brandon Aiyuk saga continues to drag on, it seems very unlikely he will join his former college teammate Jayden Daniels in Washington. The Washington Commanders needed to add another wide receiver to help Terry McLaurin , who is coming off his worst season as a pro, and the most notable addition Adam Peters and Co. made this offseason was Antonio Williams in the third round. Williams leaves Clemson with the fourth-most career receptions (208) in program history, and is tied for the fourth-most receiving touchdowns (21). He caught 15 touchdowns over the last two seasons, which ranks most in the ACC. This is a solid slot weapon that doesn't drop the ball and can create after the catch. He also possesses the vision necessary to create those game-changing splash plays. The only question I have with Williams is his ability to stay healthy, as he missed 12 games due to injury during his collegiate career. But he's someone that could play a big role in Washington's offense if Daniels can also remain healthy. He has a clearer path to picking up touches than another talent like Germie Bernard in Pittsburgh. No one expected De'Zhaun Stribling to be the sixth wide receiver off the board, as he was CBS Sports' WR19 in this class. However, I trust John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan, and they clearly wanted this prospect. Stribling is known for his blocking ability and physicality, but he also ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the combine at 6-foot-2. He caught 55 passes for 811 yards last season for the Ole Miss Rebels and led the team with six receiving touchdowns. He also caught seven passes for 122 yards in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal upset against Georgia. Surely he can find a role in this efficient San Francisco 49ers offensive attack -- and should have the opportunity, too. The 49ers signed soon-to-be 33-year-old Mike Evans , who has missed 12 games over the last two seasons due to injury, and Christian Kirk while losing Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne in free agency. Jennings was the most reliable wide receiver Shanahan had over the past couple of seasons, and Stribling has the potential to wear the hat he did in this scheme. If the 49ers' weapons stru
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NFL Insider Ian Rapoport suggests that if rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza performs well early, he could force the Las Vegas Raiders to make him their starting quarterback sooner than expected, potentially even within the upcoming season, serving as excellent news for the team
Former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III is hinting at a Netflix documentary detailing his 2012 season, specifically focusing on the playoff game against the Seahawks where he tore his ACL. The documentary will apparently explore why he was kept in the game despite his injury, a pivotal moment that impacted his career trajectory. Griffin's past attempts at sharing his story, including a planned tell-all book, were abandoned, but this documentary signals a new effort to recount his experiences, potentially including sensitive topics like sexual harassment during his time in Washington
Five years after former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III announced, then scrapped, a tell-all book about his time with an inherently dysfunctional franchise, Griffin is apparently ready to tell his story. Or at least part of it. Griffin, while wearing a full uniform of the franchise he played for in 2012 (including a jersey with the abandoned name and a helmet with the expunged logo), moves his 2012 NFL offensive rookie of the year trophy from a chair and then sits down. A graphic on the screen says, “Preparing for my Netflix Documentary about why they kept running me when I only had one leg against Seattle in 2012.” He’s referring to the wild-card game against the Seahawks, during which his heavily-braced right leg gave out. Griffin originally injured his knee in Week 14 against the Ravens. After missing only one game, he returned for the final two weeks of the regular season and the playoff game against the Seahawks. His career wasn’t the same after that. He started 13 games in 2013 and seven in 2014. By 2015, the team had put him in bubble wrap to avoid his injury-guaranteed fifth-year option for 2016, playing Kirk Cousins instead. Griffin then spent one year with the Browns and three with the Ravens before his NFL career ended. It’s unclear whether the documentary will cover other aspects of Griffin’s time in Washington. His book would have apparently touched on a variety of topics, including (as he said in 2021) “ my experience with sexual harassment in Washington ,” adding in a video announcing the book: “I’m gonna open your eyes to the sexual harassment that permeated the walls of that building .” Griffin later had “ second thoughts ” about the book project. His agent denied that the decision was influenced by any direct or indirect pressure from the team, the league, or Griffin’s employer at the time, ESPN
Despite plenty of struggles since last winning the Super Bowl more than four years before Kirk Cousins was born, the Raiders have earned the first overall pick in the draft only twice: in 2007 and in 2026. How did it go the last time? Not too good . JaMarcus Russell didn't start right away. It probably wouldn't have mattered if he had. After 25 starts in three seasons, it was over for him. Now, Fernando Mendoza enters the fray with the hope of becoming the first true year-to-year franchise quarterback the Raiders have had since Kenny Stabler. And the options for Week 1 are Mendoza and Cousins. In late March, new coach Klint Kubiak made it clear that he'd prefer to have Mendoza " watching a mature adult go and run an offense and run the team." But Cousins has acknowledged that the decision should be driven by merit. "I honestly don’t want to start unless I’m the best option, and I told Klint that,” Cousins said in early April. “ The best player should play . As long as that’s the case, I have no qualms about however it plays out." So how will it play out? Kubiak talked up Cousins during the offseason program, which could be another clue as to Kubiak's preference. But training camp is a different beast. When practice begins, and when both quarterbacks are getting chances to do what they do, the players will have a chance to witness their performances. To compare and to contrast them. And, ultimately, to develop an impression as to which guy provides the better option to win games. If it's Mendoza, it won't be easy to bench him for Cousins. The other players (starting with Maxx Crosby ) will want to win. If the players think Mendoza puts them in a better position to do that, they won't be thrilled with a long-term plan to get more out of Mendoza later by having him do less now. The Chiefs pulled that off with Patrick Mahomes nine years ago because the Chiefs were a perennial playoff team under Alex Smith . The Raiders are a perennial also-ran, running behind the other teams in the AFC West. If the locker room thinks Mendoza is, to use Cousins's term, "the best player," the locker room won't be thrilled with the idea of keeping Fernando parked in the garage like a Ferrari, opting instead to tool around in a Fiat. And if the 37-year-old Cousins, who had no immediate market for his services as a clear-cut QB1 elsewhere, outperforms Mendoza, what does that say about the Raiders' decision to make Mendoza the first overall pick in the draft? The days of the five-year plan in the NFL ended closer to five decades than five years ago. Life in the NFL happens one season at a time. Veteran players don't want a year in which players less than the best available at all positions aren't playing. Put simply, the Raiders haven't been good enough to put the better player on the bench. If that's Mendoza, he needs to play. If it's not Mendoza, maybe they should have picked a better player when they returned to the JaMarcus Russell spot for the first time in 19 years
Despite plenty of struggles since last winning the Super Bowl more than four years before Kirk Cousins was born, the Raiders have earned the first overall pick in the draft only twice: in 2007 and in 2026. How did it go the last time? Not too good . JaMarcus Russell didn’t start right away. It probably wouldn’t have mattered if he had. After 25 starts in three seasons, it was over for him. Now, Fernando Mendoza enters the fray with the hope of becoming the first true year-to-year franchise quarterback the Raiders have had since Kenny Stabler. And the options for Week 1 are Mendoza and Cousins. In late March, new coach Klint Kubiak made it clear that he’d prefer to have Mendoza “ watching a mature adult go and run an offense and run the team.” But Cousins has acknowledged that the decision should be driven by merit. “I honestly don’t want to start unless I’m the best option, and I told Klint that,” Cousins said in early April. “ The best player should play . As long as that’s the case, I have no qualms about however it plays out.” So how will it play out? Kubiak talked up Cousins during the offseason program, which could be another clue as to Kubiak’s preference. But training camp is a different beast. When practice begins, and when both quarterbacks are getting chances to do what they do, the players will have a chance to witness their performances. To compare and to contrast them. And, ultimately, to develop an impression as to which guy provides the better option to win games. If it’s Mendoza, it won’t be easy to bench him for Cousins. The other players (starting with Maxx Crosby) will want to win. If the players think Mendoza puts them in a better position to do that, they won’t be thrilled with a long-term plan to get more out of Mendoza later by having him do less now. The Chiefs pulled that off with Patrick Mahomes nine years ago because the Chiefs were a perennial playoff team under Alex Smith. The Raiders are a perennial also-ran, running behind the other teams in the AFC West. If the locker room thinks Mendoza is, to use Cousins’s term, “the best player,” the locker room won’t be thrilled with the idea of keeping Fernando parked in the garage like a Ferrari, opting instead to tool around in a Fiat. And if the 37-year-old Cousins, who had no immediate market for his services as a clear-cut QB1 elsewhere, outperforms Mendoza, what does that say about the Raiders’ decision to make Mendoza the first overall pick in the draft? The days of the five-year plan in the NFL ended closer to five decades than five years ago. Life in the NFL happens one season at a time. Veteran players don’t want a year in which players less than the best available at all positions aren’t playing. Put simply, the Raiders haven’t been good enough to put the better player on the bench. If that’s Mendoza, he needs to play. If it’s not Mendoza, maybe they should have picked a better player when they returned to the JaMarcus Russell spot for the first time in 19 years
The Las Vegas Raiders drafted their potential franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza with the first overall selection during the 2026 NFL draft. Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman, National Champion, Big Ten Offensive Player & Newcomer of the Year, and Consensus All-American logged 41 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions, a 72% completion rate, and 3535 yards through 16 games. The Raiders are not putting all of their eggs in the Mendoza basket to start the season, as they also signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a 1 year contract and the impression is that Cousins will start the season under center for the Raiders. Cousins, who turns 38 next month, spent the last two seasons with the Falcons in a backup QB role, but also started 24 games due to injuries to Michael Penix , and the starting role Atlanta handed him. Cousins had a 65% completion rate, 5229 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions across his time in Atlanta but he also saw a lower rate of turnover worthy plays than interceptions, signaling some interceptions may not be his fault. Cousins should start for the Raiders, but there’s a good shot that Mendoza will also see a fair share of snaps this season as the Raiders starter in his rookie season. Ideally I imagine the Raiders want to have Mendoza’s first start come at home, which a week 7 slot would align with. The Rams are not an ideal team to have your first start against, the defense ranked top 10 last year, and added future hall of famer Myles Garrett , along with top defensive backs Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson . Chris Shula and Sean McVay have made careers of aggressive, fast paced, complex defensive systems and Shula has had his number vs young quarterbacks as well. Week 7 is likely a bit early, and being thrown into the fire against the Rams is not an easy task, but Las Vegas takes a road trip for two weeks after the Rams and if they want an early look at Mendoza, week 7 lines up best. Similar to that of the Rams in week 7, if the Raiders want an early look at Mendoza a week 8 matchup with the Jets signals to be a strong time period. As mentioned above, they may want to have Mendoza’s first start at home, and a road trip out East to New York isn’t the ideal case. Aaron Glenn has succeeded vs young quarterbacks, but Aaron Glenn has also seen his defense struggle in his brief stint as a head coach. That defense did turn around and add standouts David Onyemata , David Bailey, Joseph Ossai and T’Vondre Sweat to the defensive line with DeMario Davis at linebacker, and Dane Belton , Nahshon Wright , D’Angelo Ponds, and Minkah Fitzpatrick in the secondary. Starting Mendoza out vs New York likely gives an easier initial start than the Rams, but it’s still a road trip. Following week 9 comes the NFL trade deadline, and if the Raiders hear some chatter about possibly getting value for Kirk Cousins, then he could be shipped out and Mendoza slots in week 10 vs Seattle. In an ideal world, I don’t think anyone wants Mendoza’s first start against the reigning super bowl champions, who did lose three starters but still retain plenty of other standouts, and defensive mastermind Mike MacDonald. MacDonald beat up on young quarterbacks last year, and the Seattle system is extremely complex, versatile, and matchup dependent. Additionally, MacDonald also has a clear connection to Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, and he’ll know how to attack the Raiders offensive system and Mendoza. This likely only comes in a rare shot where Cousins is moved, but I doubt this is the first start for him. This could be the first start for Mendoza, and I think in the Raiders ideal world this is his first shot. A trip across the country to Cleveland is not ideal, and playing in Cleveland during late November could make for a ton of rough conditions. That said, Mendoza did play at Indiana and excelled in some cold weather games, including a 38-3 win vs Alabama in the playoffs. The Browns moved Myles Garrett, but did add Jared Verse though the defense re
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The Athletic's Sam Warren writes that "all signs point to" wide receiver Jalen Nailor "having a chance to post career numbers" in his first year with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2026. The Raiders traded Jakobi Meyers to the Jacksonville Jaguars last November, but Nailor was the lone premium addition the team made at receiver this offseason, giving the 27-year-old a clear opportunity to produce like he never has before in his NFL career. In his four years with the Minnesota Vikings after they took him in the sixth round in 2022 out of Michigan State, Nailor was always a depth option behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, never having more than 29 catches or 444 receiving yards in a single season. Not only does Nailor have the opportunity to be the Raiders' WR1 in 2026, but he joins the organization with established chemistry with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and head coach Klint Kubiak from their Vikings days. Nailor's 2026 fantasy value could fade a bit if the Raiders add a player like Stefon Diggs to their roster before the start of the regular season, but for now, he should be considered a strong late-round selection at the WR position with volume upside. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 64 WR for the upcoming season
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