Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza will have an opportunity to accomplish something no No. 1 overall pick has done in nearly four decades when he makes his first career start against the Seattle Seahawks.
As the Raiders (4-5) usher in the Mendoza era against the reigning Super Bowl champions (5-4) on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PT on CBS, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft will attempt to become the first top-picked quarterback to win his first career start in Week 10 or later since at least 1987.
DraftKings highlighted the unusual history surrounding Mendoza's debut Friday on X, formerly known as Twitter.
No. 1 overall drafted QBs to make their first career start in Week 10 or later:
2026 – Fernando Mendoza (Week 10 vs. SEA)
❌ 2016 – Jared Goff (Week 11, L vs. MIA)
❌ 2007 – JaMarcus Russell (Week 17, L vs. SD)
❌ 2004 – Eli Manning (Week 11, L vs. ATL)
❌ 1987 – Vinny… pic.twitter.com/K3rNFdJngV— DraftKings (@DraftKings) November 13, 2026
Fernando Mendoza takes over Raiders offense against defending champions
The previous four quarterbacks on the list all lost their first starts. Jared Goff fell to the Miami Dolphins with the Los Angeles Rams in 2016, while former Raiders No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell lost to the San Diego Chargers in 2007.
Eli Manning lost his first start with the New York Giants against the Atlanta Falcons in 2004, while Vinny Testaverde and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the New Orleans Saints in 1987.
Mendoza now has an opportunity to break that trend while officially taking control of the Raiders offense.
Las Vegas cleared the path for the rookie earlier this week by trading veteran Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings for a 2027 third-round pick. Cousins started the Raiders' first nine games and helped the organization remain in the playoff race with a 4-5 record before Las Vegas turned toward its long-term future.
Mendoza has received limited regular-season action after spending the first half of his rookie campaign developing behind Cousins. He completed 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards in relief during Las Vegas' Week 5 loss to the New England Patriots.
His first start presents a significantly larger challenge.
Mendoza will now attempt to make NFL history while facing a Seattle team coming off a Super Bowl championship, giving the Raiders' new franchise quarterback an immediate test as his era in Las Vegas officially begins.