The recent trade of veteran Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings at the NFL deadline has shifted the Raiders' quarterback situation, positioning 2026 No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza to take over as starter for the Week 10 matchup against the Seahawks. Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana, saw limited regular-season action in a Week 5 blowout loss to New England, completing 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards in relief. First-year coach Klint Kubiak had maintained no quarterback controversy through the team's slide from a 3-0 start to roughly 4-5, emphasizing development behind Cousins while noting Mendoza would eventually play. The trade removes the veteran bridge, aligning with the franchise's long-term plan for the rookie amid ongoing offensive struggles and playoff positioning. Mendoza's first start comes against a top-ranked Seattle defense.
This market will resolve to "Yes" if Fernando Mendoza is named the starting quarterback of the Las Vegas Raiders for a Las Vegas Raiders regular season game in Week 1 through Week 13 of the 2026-27 NFL season, on or before December 7, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. Otherwise, this market will resolve to "No". Fernando Mendoza will be considered "named the starting quarterback" if the Las Vegas Raiders officially announce him as their starting quarterback for a game within that timeframe, or if he takes the Las Vegas Raiders’ first offensive snap at quarterback in a game within that timeframe. An official announcement naming Fernando Mendoza the starting quarterback for a game within that timeframe will resolve this market to "Yes" regardless of whether he ultimately takes the field. Relief appearances in which another quarterback takes the Las Vegas Raiders’ first offensive snap of that game will not count, and preseason and playoff games will not count. If the 2026-27 NFL regular season is cancelled, postponed past December 7, 2026, 11:59 PM ET, or the Las Vegas Raiders play no regular season games in Week 1 through Week 13, this market will resolve to "No". The primary resolution source will be official information from the NFL and/or the Las Vegas Raiders; however, a consensus of credible reporting may also be used.