Schefter Sees Raiders Delaying No. 1 Pick Fernando Mendoza Until Dec. 1

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 20

Dec. 1 is Adam Schefter’s projected earliest window for Fernando Mendoza’s Raiders debut, with Kirk Cousins expected to open the 2026 season as the starter.
November drives that timeline: Las Vegas faces four difficult road games around a lone home date against defending champion Seattle, a stretch Schefter said is a poor spot to hand the offense to a rookie.
After the Browns game, the Raiders get a bye and then three straight home games against the Chargers, Broncos and Titans, creating a softer runway if the club decides to turn to Mendoza.
Klint Kubiak had already signaled that preference in March, saying the ideal plan was for Mendoza to learn behind a veteran rather than enter Week 1 as the starter.
Mendoza arrived with major expectations after going No. 1 overall following a Heisman-winning, national-title season at Indiana, but the Cousins signing suggests Las Vegas is prioritizing development over an immediate launch.

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