Why Raiders QB plan means it might be a while before Fernando Mendoza starts

Why Raiders QB plan means it might be a while before Fernando Mendoza starts originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Las Vegas Raiders are a very interesting team to watch for the remainder of the 2026 NFL season, especially when it comes to their offense and rookie first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza.Kirk Cousins is still the starting quarterback, but at some point, the Raiders will turn to Mendoza as the team's starter. Right? Well, it might not be such a simple change for the Raiders.According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Raiders' QB plan reveals Mendoza might be waiting a while to get a chance to play. The reason why? Las Vegas is going to play Cousins for "as long as possible."Raiders QB plan doesn't bode well for Mendoza to play anytime soon"The Raiders' plan continues to be to play Kirk Cousins as long as possible, and right now, they don't believe he is to blame for their recent struggles after a 3-0 start," Schefter reports.While it might seem odd for the Raiders to spend the No. 1 overall pick on a player and not play them for the majority of the season, that is looking more and more likely to be the case this year.Cousins is firmly entrenched as the team's starting quarterback, and that hasn't changed despite the Raiders losing four straight to fall to 3-4.Facing the New York Jets in Week 8, if Cousins were to struggle in a major way, then maybe the Raiders would look to make a change at quarterback. But this report suggests it would take a huge drop-off for such a change to be considered.MORE: NFL insiders reveal four landing spots for Colts’ Jonathan TaylorThey plan to keep Cousins as the starter as long as possible, then turn to Mendoza near the end of the season, if they turn to him at all.It would be a little surprising for the Raiders to not at least give Mendoza a start or two by the end of the year, but for now, Raiders fans should expect to see Cousins continue to sling it.He's been great, throwing for 1,877 passing yards with 16 passing touchdowns and five interceptions through the first seven weeks of the year.Cousins will start Week 8 and is likely going to start beyond that as well, barring injury. This plan for the Raiders likely means Mendoza won't see much action this year, with Cousins the unquestioned QB1 for the foreseeable future.More NFL news:Bears expected to have trade interest in Chargers’ Khalil MackDolphins edge rusher Chop Robinson rumored to be in-demand trade targetBrowns not expected to trade Jerry Jeudy despite plenty of speculationWhy Lions' Sam LaPorta contract situation 'more likely than not' has a good endingNFL insider reveals Browns might not be done with Deshaun Watson after 2026