Raiders’ winning start gives Cousins room to hold off Mendoza
Kirk Cousins has thrown nine touchdowns in three games, leaving the Raiders’ No. 1 draft pick without a clear path to the starting role.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ 3–0 start has eased immediate pressure to put rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza in the starting line-up. Veteran Kirk Cousins has kept the role and thrown nine touchdowns through three games, tying for the league lead among qualified passers, according to CBS Sports.
The start matches Las Vegas’ win total from its 3–14 campaign last season. Mendoza, selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, is viewed as the franchise’s future quarterback, but the team has announced no timetable for his debut.
CBS Sports identifies Week 8 against the New York Jets as an early possible opening for a change if the Raiders lose ground and fall below .500. Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers is another potential point, particularly if Las Vegas is out of contention or Cousins’ form declines.
A third scenario could emerge in Week 16, after the Raiders’ Week 15 game against Denver, if that result damages their playoff prospects. These are the article’s projections; any decision could also depend on Cousins’ health and the team’s position.
Coach Klint Kubiak has discussed a gradual approach to developing a young quarterback. CBS Sports points to Patrick Mahomes’ limited playing time as a rookie as one example of a quarterback developing while initially serving as a backup.
