Raiders' QB Dilemma: Mendoza, O'Connell, or Cousins?

0:00On March 31st, the Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up for the 2026 season and they're expected to grab Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. With the number one overall pick in next month's draft, Dues got 35 college starts so he's got real experience that could let him step in as the starter right from day one. But the big question is whether a rookie should hit the field immediately or sit back and soak up knowledge first. Dues head coach Clint Cubiak laid it out clear at the league meetings this week. In a perfect setup, he'd want any young quarterback watching a season vet run the show, learning the ropes without the pressure. That way, they build maturity to handle whatever hits, like starting game 1 or waiting until year 2. Fans and analysts are buzzing because the Raiders just traded Geno Smith to the Jets, leaving Aiden O'Connell as their main guy at the position. Eagles played in 21 games with 17 starts since they drafted him out of Purdue in 2023, but he's not that. Battle-tested mentor type Cubiak envisions for a top prospect like Mendoza.

1:03They're eyeing free agent Kurt Cousins as a possible bridge option, someone who could mentor while handing off the keys later. But after Cousins bridged in Atlanta last year, would he even want that role again in Vegas? Either way, Cubiak stressed the coaching staff's job is to prep whoever starts, putting them in prime spots to shine under the spotlight. No matter how it shakes out, the Raiders are betting on smarts and staff to turn this quarterback puzzle into a win, keeping their eyes on that. Long-term success. I'm Corey with the story. That's your NFL News Today update, AI powered and always on.