The Las Vegas Raiders have turned the page at quarterback. Hours before the NFL trade deadline Tuesday, the team dealt veteran starter Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings, officially handing the offense to rookie Fernando Mendoza, the 2026 No. 1 overall pick.
Mendoza served as Cousins' backup for the first nine games of the season. His only regular-season action came on Oct. 11 against the New England Patriots, when he played 17 snaps in a 45-17 loss and completed 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards. He saw more extensive work in the preseason, completing 25 of 45 attempts for 240 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions across three games.
The 23-year-old Miami native arrived in Las Vegas after a historic final college season at Indiana. After transferring from Cal, Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and led the Hoosiers to a perfect 13-0 record and a national championship, throwing for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns with just six interceptions. His younger brother, Alberto, was his backup at Indiana and now plays quarterback at Georgia Tech.
Off the field, Mendoza has built a profile around financial literacy and philanthropy. A business major, he launched a video series offering financial tips for Gen Z and partnered with U.S. Bank on a guidance program for athletes and young people. He also established the Mendoza Family Fund, which has raised over $1 million for the National MS Society in honor of his mother, Elsa, who has battled multiple sclerosis for nearly two decades. During his Heisman acceptance speech, he closed with a message in Spanish to his Cuban-born grandparents: "For the love and sacrifice of my parents and grandparents, I love you a lot. From all my heart, I thank you."
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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