What the Raiders’ First Depth Chart Says About Fernando Mendoza

The Las Vegas Raiders released their first training camp depth chart, which lists Fernando Mendoza behind Kirk Cousins at quarterback.

Mendoza was the first selection in this year’s draft, arriving off a 2025 Heisman Trophy win and a national championship run at Indiana. Head coach Klint Kubiak made clear as camp opened that Cousins would be the team’s starter, and Mendoza is not fighting that.

The setup makes sense on paper. Las Vegas went 3-14 last season and traded away starter Geno Smith to the Jets to clear a path for its new franchise quarterback. Smith threw 17 interceptions and was sacked 55 times behind a struggling offensive line.

Cousins now occupies that starting role while Mendoza gets reps behind him. The Raiders also poured resources into fixing the blocking that sank Smith, though the early returns are mixed.

Mendoza, for his part, isn’t fighting the backup role for now. “Whatever decisions are made at the end, that’s fantastic, and I’m well for it,” he said. “I just want the team to win, so that’s where I’m at.”

That’s a notable shift for a player who has been candid about his competitive edge in the past.

Why Mendoza’s QB2 Role Matters

This tells you Kubiak isn’t rushing Mendoza before he’s ready.

Kubiak said back in February that the extent to which a quarterback handles responsibility in the huddle and before the snap would shape the pecking order this season. Mendoza is still working through that.

“I feel more comfortable,” he said, “but I am nowhere near where I need to be.”

He’s been putting in extra time with the offensive linemen before and after practice, trying to sharpen his reads and communication at the line.

The Raiders open the preseason on Aug. 13 at home against the Arizona Cardinals, and that’s the first real test beyond practice reps. How much Mendoza plays, how the offensive line holds up in front of him, and whether Cousins looks settled will all shape the next depth chart update.