A new report has emerged around the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, Fernando Mendoza. It suggests that the rookie shouldn’t be rushed into starting games this season.

NFL reporter Henry McKenna of FOX Sports urged the Las Vegas Raiders to ease Mendoza into the 2026 NFL season matchups behind veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.

“The Las Vegas Raiders could slot veteran Kirk Cousins into the QB1 spot and no one would give it a second thought. There would be no pressure. No stress. No reason to push the young quarterback, especially not when the team's offensive line [while rebuilt] was as bad as it was last year,” McKenna wrote.

Last season, the Raiders recorded a 3–14 record, as their offense was one of the worst in franchise history. They ranked 32nd in the league with 14.2 points per game and 77.5 rushing yards per game.

The team hired a new head coach, Klint Kubiak, who drafted RB Mike Washington Jr. in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Kubiak also signed OL Spencer Burford in free agency, along with several other moves.

However, there are still gaps that need to be addressed for this season. And starting a rookie quarterback behind a struggling offensive line could hinder his long-term development.

McKenna further mentioned that, according to FOX Sports Research, 16 QBs have been drafted No. 1 overall in the past 20 years. What's more, every one of them has started games in their rookie season.

If the Raiders were to take his suggestion, they would be breaking a two-decade-long tradition. And it seems the franchise might be doing just that.

A minority owner of the franchise, Tom Brady, discussed the “tragedy” of QBs starting games in their rookie year back in 2024 during an appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show.

Raiders HC Klint Kubiak also mentioned the importance of not letting a rookie start from Day 1 during the 2026 NFL Combine.

“Ideally, you don't want him to start from Day 1. You'd love him to be able to learn behind somebody,” Kubiak said. “I think it does help the player if they can sit behind a mature adult and watch how they run the show.”

The Raiders have also signed veteran QB Kirk Cousins in free agency. This has led to speculation about the franchise planning to let an experienced QB start in the upcoming season instead of the No. 1 pick, Fernando Mendoza.

In the past, other franchises have also considered the benefits of letting the rookies watch and learn first. The Raiders definitely wouldn’t be the first team in the NFL to bench a rookie QB.

Times When Rookie Quarterbacks Were Benched For Veterans

Carson Palmer was taken No. 1 overall in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, but he didn’t see the field at all during his rookie season. Instead, he spent the year learning behind veteran Jon Kitna.

Patrick Mahomes is another strong example of this. Even though he wasn’t a No. 1 overall pick, the Kansas City Chiefs selected him 10th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. Despite being a rookie, he spent most of the season behind veteran Alex Smith and only made his first start in Week 17.

The Green Bay Packers have followed a similar path for years. They let Aaron Rodgers develop behind Brett Favre before eventually handing him the job, and later did the same by allowing Jordan Love to sit behind Rodgers.

Hopefully, the Raiders will make the right QB1 decision for the upcoming season.

Read more at Quarter Back Central!

Written by

Monika Khatai

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit