The Las Vegas Raiders have officially seen a quarterback transition, with Kirk Cousins being traded to the Minnesota Vikings at the NFL trade deadline. Following the blockbuster deal, Cousins shared a message of gratitude to Raiders Nation and encouragement for his successor, Fernando Mendoza.
Cousins posted on Instagram, featuring photos of himself and Mendoza, with the caption, "Thank you Raider Nation! Go get em @fernandomendoza." Mendoza responded on his Instagram Story, sharing a screenshot of Cousins' post and adding "🙏🙏 @kirkcousins."
Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is now set to take over as the Raiders' starting quarterback. The team, currently 4-5 after a 38-17 road loss to the San Francisco 49ers, aims to make a playoff push for the first time since 2021 with the rookie under center.
The Raiders' upcoming schedule presents a mixed challenge for Mendoza. They will face several teams with losing records, including the Jets, Chargers, Titans, and Cardinals. However, they also have matchups against winning teams like the Seahawks, Denver Broncos (twice), Cleveland Browns, and Kansas City Chiefs.
Mendoza has had limited playing time this season. In the preseason, he completed 25 of 45 passes for 240 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. He also showed flashes of potential in a Week 5 loss to the Patriots, completing 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards before a crucial turnover on downs.
The Raiders' game plan against the Seattle Seahawks will be tailored to Mendoza's strengths as he makes his debut as the team's starting quarterback.