Raiders GM Hints at QB Competition Between Mendoza and Cousins

Las Vegas will let the best player win the starting job, but veteran Cousins may have an edge.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:20pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game in progress, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, creating a sense of dynamic motion and uncertainty.The Raiders' quarterback competition promises to be a complex, multi-faceted battle as the team weighs experience versus potential.Las Vegas Today

In a press conference, Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek indicated that the team's first-round draft pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, will have a chance to compete with veteran Kirk Cousins for the starting job. Spytek emphasized that the Raiders are looking for the best player, regardless of experience, but also acknowledged the challenges young QBs face in adjusting to the NFL.

Why it matters

The Raiders' quarterback situation has been a point of speculation, with some assuming Cousins would be the starter. Spytek's comments suggest the team is open to letting the competition play out, which could have implications for Mendoza's development and the Raiders' plans at the position.

The details

Spytek stated that 'the best guy will play' at quarterback for the Raiders, hinting that Mendoza will get a fair shot to win the starting job despite his inexperience. However, Spytek also noted the difficulty of young QBs adjusting to the NFL, suggesting the team may be inclined to bring Mendoza along slowly, potentially favoring the veteran Cousins to start the season.

  • The Raiders signed veteran QB Kirk Cousins in free agency earlier this offseason.

The players

John Spytek

The general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Fernando Mendoza

The Raiders' first-round draft pick, a quarterback from Indiana University.

Kirk Cousins

A veteran quarterback who signed with the Raiders in free agency.

Klint Kubiak

The first-year head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Tom Brady

A minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders who has advocated for young quarterbacks to spend time as backups.

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What they’re saying

“Ultimately, this is a meritocracy, and the best guy will play.”

— John Spytek, Raiders General Manager

“It's a hard position to play, and there's a lot to learn beyond throwing [a] football and being a good teammate. A lot of these guys live their entire life in shotgun [formation]. They don't huddle. You really got to teach some of these guys how to run a huddle, how to break a huddle, how to get under center and call a cadence.”

— John Spytek, Raiders General Manager

What’s next

The Raiders will hold a quarterback competition during training camp and the preseason to determine their Week 1 starter.

The takeaway

The Raiders are keeping an open mind about their quarterback situation, willing to let the best player win the job regardless of experience. However, the team may still lean towards the veteran Cousins to start the season, given the challenges young QBs face in adjusting to the NFL.