Mendoza Takes Over as Raiders’ Starter, With Cousins’ Help and Team Confidence

WHO:

CBS Sports - Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck said he learned from watching Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew’s conduct in meetings, walkthroughs, practice and games.

CBS Sports - Miami Dolphins quarterback Kyle McCord said playing at Ohio State and Syracuse against top opponents gives him confidence ahead of his NFL debut.

CBS Sports - Carson Beck, the No. 65 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is set to make his NFL debut as the Arizona Cardinals’ starter; Kyle McCord, a 2025 sixth-round pick, is set to make his NFL debut as the Miami Dolphins’ starter.

CBS Sports - Beck, 24, won two College Football Playoff titles during his college career, though neither as a starter. McCord played for Ohio State before transferring to Syracuse.

NY Post - Fernando Mendoza took every first-team snap at Raiders practice Wednesday.

raiders.com - Fernando Mendoza said, “I’m a lot more confident as a quarterback,” citing improvement in playing under center, connecting with teammates and understanding an NFL scheme.

raiders.com - Mark Davis said, “Today is a major milestone in Raider history. I’m excited as hell.”

raiders.com - Raiders columnist Gutierrez quoted Fernando Mendoza saying, “It’s awesome to have the full belief and support,” comparing support to helping a plant “flourish and grow.”

raiders.com - Brock Bowers said Fernando Mendoza can make plays with his feet and described him as “out there just slinging it.”

raiders.com - Tre Tucker has four receiving touchdowns and reached 18 mph on 29 routes this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

raiders.com - Cody White, Jalen Nailor and Jack Bech have combined for five receiving touchdowns.

raiders.com - Fernando Mendoza is the Raiders’ rookie quarterback, the No. 1 overall draft pick and a Heisman Trophy winner who led Indiana to a national title.

raiders.com - Kirk Cousins was the Raiders’ veteran quarterback and Mendoza’s mentor; Raiders owner Mark Davis called him “a true Raider” and said, “Once a Raider, always a Raider.”

raiders.com - Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said Mendoza has “some juice in his legs” and emphasized his leadership, knowledge of the offense, ability to read defenses and reliance on teammates.

raiders.com - Raiders general manager John Spytek said promoting Mendoza did not mean the team was “punting on this season or looking forward to 2027.”

raiders.com - Tight end Brock Bowers said Mendoza throws a great ball and makes quick, good decisions. Bowers leads the Raiders in receiving yards (658), receptions (48) and touchdown catches (six).

raiders.com - Other Raiders offensive players mentioned include Tre Tucker, Cody White, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech and running back Ashton Jeanty.

WHAT:

CBS Sports - Beck’s 2025 season at Miami included conference-high totals of 338 completions and a 72.4% completion rate.

CBS Sports - McCord led the NCAA in 2024 with 391 completions, 592 attempts and 4,779 passing yards; he threw 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in Syracuse’s 10-3 season, starting all 13 games.

CBS Sports - The Dolphins placed Malik Willis on injured reserve, prompting McCord’s promotion to starter.

CBS Sports - Carson Beck and Kyle McCord would be the first pair of quarterbacks to make their NFL debuts as starters in the same week since Drew Lock and David Blough in 2019.

CBS Sports - If the three scheduled starts occur, 50 quarterbacks will have started at least one game through Week 10, tied for the second-most in the past 20 seasons; 2019 had 51.

CBS Sports - Since 2000, 158 quarterbacks have started as rookies; 22 made their first start between Weeks 10 and 13, and five won their debuts.

CBS Sports - Mendoza went 6-of-8 for 48 yards after entering the Raiders’ Week 5 game against New England; he completed his first five passes.

CBS Sports - Beck’s 2025 season at Miami included 3,813 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. McCord went 46-of-70 for 446 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions during Packers preseason play.

raiders.com - Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said Mendoza would have full access to the playbook and described the quarterback as “the ultimate point guard,” responsible for using what the whole team does well.

raiders.com - Mendoza said the three Raiders quarterbacks prepared as though each could start, practicing routines together, watching film and reviewing the game plan and adjustments.

Fox News - Colin Cowherd said Indiana scored an average of 38 points and won by three touchdowns against ranked opponents when Mendoza played; without him, Indiana was 0-3 against ranked opponents and averaged 15 points. Cowherd said Mendoza was 6-0 against ranked teams.

raiders.com - Gutierrez noted that Kirk Cousins won four games in nine games with the Raiders, compared with the team’s three wins over the entire previous season.

raiders.com - Gutierrez said Mendoza’s big arm and ability to extend plays could open up the vertical passing game and help the Raiders’ stagnant running game.

raiders.com - Gutierrez described Mendoza’s starting role as a distinctive situation in Raiders history: Ken Stabler sat behind Daryle Lamonica for three years before starting in 1973; Jim Plunkett replaced injured starter Dan Pastorini five games into the 1980 season; and Todd Marinovich was drafted in 1991 with Jay Schroeder already on the roster.

raiders.com - Bowers has lined out wide on 38.1 percent of his routes this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

raiders.com - Raiders owner Mark Davis called Mendoza’s promotion “a major milestone in Raider history” and said, “I’m excited as hell.”

raiders.com - Raiders GM John Spytek said the decision was not intended to give up on the season or look ahead to 2027, adding, “This is the ultimate team sport, and it takes everybody.”

raiders.com - The article noted that the Raiders were 4-5 and that Seattle’s defense ranked No. 1 in total defense.

NBC Sports - Mendoza said he was “a lot more confident as a quarterback” and had improved in playing under center, connecting with teammates and understanding an NFL scheme.

raiders.com - The Raiders traded Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings for a third-round pick and named Mendoza their starting quarterback.

NBC Sports - Mendoza said he had “no inkling” the trade was coming. He described starting as “a new step,” not a whirlwind, and credited his development and Cousins’ mentorship.

Fox News - Mendoza called the starting opportunity a “once-in-a-lifetime” chance.

raiders.com - With Cousins, the Raiders ranked fifth in passing yards per game (259.7) and second in passing touchdowns (20). Cousins had 2,340 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes.

raiders.com - Jeanty led NFL running backs in receiving yards (371) and receptions (42), and was tied for second in receiving touchdowns (three). He averaged 3.2 yards per carry.

raiders.com - Mendoza’s debut requires him to manage the offense, protect the ball, make calculated plays and maintain a “next play” focus, according to the article’s breakdown.

WHERE:

raiders.com - The Raiders play at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

WHEN:

CBS Sports - The article said Carson Beck would make his NFL debut against the Rams and Kyle McCord would start against the Colts on Sunday, Nov. 15.

raiders.com - Mendoza is set to make his first NFL start against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 10.

NBC Sports - The Seahawks were identified as the defending champions.

WHY:

CBS Sports - Arizona made Beck its starter after Gardner Minshew was sidelined with a suspected torn UCL in his throwing arm and Jacoby Brissett was traded to the Baltimore Ravens.

raiders.com - Mark Davis said the Cousins trade deadline shaped the timing of the transition, saying, “Circumstances dictated that, in a sense.”

raiders.com - Mark Davis said the Raiders wanted to ease pressure on Mendoza by not making him the Day 1 starter, and described his eventual promotion as “not if, but when.”

raiders.com - Davis said the Raiders drafted Mendoza first overall but wanted to remove the pressure of making him a Day 1 starter; the plan was to let him learn from a veteran until ready.

raiders.com - Davis said it was “not if, but when” Mendoza would take over, and described the promotion as part of the team’s long-term plan.

HOW:

raiders.com - Raiders’ RUSH program activities introduce girls ages 11–14 to flag football, mental health and nutrition at Molasky Junior High School.

raiders.com - Raiders columnist Bucky Brooks said Mendoza should shift from game manager to playmaker when needed, while avoiding “hero” plays and using a process-focused checklist to stay composed.

raiders.com - Raiders columnist Bucky Brooks said Mendoza should keep the offense on schedule with leadership and situational awareness, value the ball while taking calculated risks, avoid “hero” play and focus on a “next play” approach.

raiders.com - The article said Mendoza could use a checklist to stay focused on the process, including making the proper line-of-scrimmage checks and getting the ball to the first or second option based on coverage reads.

raiders.com - The Raiders’ RUSH program, hosted with UNLV’s School of Public Health at Molasky Junior High School, aims to spark interest in flag football, mental health and nutrition among girls ages 11–14.

raiders.com - Mendoza prepared alongside the other quarterbacks by following routines, watching film, reviewing the game plan and discussing adjustments.

raiders.com - Kubiak said the offense would use what the team does well while potentially tailoring some aspects to Mendoza’s abilities and the other players in the huddle.

The Raiders have traded Kirk Cousins and named rookie Fernando Mendoza their starting quarterback. Mendoza takes first-team practice snaps, with coaches and teammates praising his growing confidence and leadership. Arizona’s Carson Beck and Miami’s Kyle McCord are also set for NFL starting debuts.