Doug Pederson Urges Raiders to Start No. 1 Pick Fernando Mendoza in Week 1

2 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Jul 13

Week 1 is when Doug Pederson says Las Vegas should debut Fernando Mendoza, arguing the Raiders should absorb a rookie quarterback’s growing pains immediately rather than delay them into midseason.
Pederson pointed to his 2016 Eagles decision to start Carson Wentz early and said the same logic applies if the Raiders truly view Mendoza as their franchise quarterback.
Kirk Cousins is still positioned to open the season after signing with Las Vegas, giving the Raiders a veteran bridge even as Pederson says Klint Kubiak’s play-action-heavy system could ease Mendoza’s transition.
Tom Brady, the Raiders’ minority owner, has argued the opposite since 2024, calling it a 'tragedy' when rookie quarterbacks are forced to play early and backing a longer development path.
Since 2020, 11 rookie quarterbacks have started immediately and all endured early struggles, though Mendoza arrives with rare pedigree after going No. 1 overall following a Heisman season and national title at Indiana.