The “it” is Carlos Mendoza as lead quarterback. Kirk Cousins leaving in mid-season for a team he just played for is extraordinary. But anyone who watched MNF this week saw that the Vikings have a Super Bowl-level defense paired with a can’t-score offense. It was Code Red in Minnesota.
That day came Tuesday, when the Raiders traded Kirk Cousins to the quarterback-needy Minnesota Vikings for the 2027 third-round pick.
It was the right move. The timing means Mendoza can get eight games in, and the Raiders also get a draft pick to add talent as their rebuilding continues.
Mendoza won’t get better watching on the sidelines, even though it’s hard to expect much from him as a rookie. But the Raiders are a long shot to make the playoffs this season, even if Cousins remained at the helm. That’s another reason it’s time for Mendoza to get behind center.
Fernando Mendoza (photo courtesy Yardbarker)
If Mendoza can win three or four games this season, that would be beautiful. Moreover, it was always about Mendoza; he, not Cousins, represented the franchise’s future.
Now we get a chance to see what he can do, and how he does under pressure.
Personally, I don’t go into this with high expectations, at least not right now. His first start will be against the NFL-championship-defending Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium. Talk about a baptism under fire!
Make no mistake: This won’t be an easy transition. The Seahawks, then the Denver Broncos, will blitz and try to confuse Mendoza with different looks. But no matter how things turn out, Mendoza’s elevation gives Raiders fans a reason to stay excited about this team.
Now we get to see how he does. The future in Las Vegas starts now.
