Raiders’ Kirk Cousins expected to start season, but when could Fernando Mendoza replace him as QB1?

After another rocky preseason start for Las Vegas Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza in the 22-20 win over the Houston Texans on Thursday, there could be wonder about how the quarterback plan will roll out when the regular season starts. As Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak won’t name a starting quarterback just yet, this former player and NFL analyst has a good idea of how it’ll turn out.

With Kirk Cousins and most of the likely starting offensive line not playing for Las Vegas during the preseason, it gives Dan Orlovsky the idea that he’ll start for the team to open the season, but depending on success, Mendoza could see some action. Speaking on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Orlovsky would highlight that Mendoza has to progress to go along with Cousins struggling for him to play.

“It’s a lot dependent upon team success,” Orlovsky said. “I don’t love that, but if for some reason and/or way that Kirk is starting, playing at a high level, and this team is highly competitive in and out of games, wins and losses, I believe that he would remain that starting quarterback for an extended period of time. Now, if Kirk is struggling, the team runs off a ton of losses, and Fernando’s just really progressing on the practice field, then you’re probably going to get to a point where you put them on the field.”

"Kirk Cousins is gonna start the season for the Las Vegas Raiders..

I would imagine at some point Fernando Mendoza is gonna be the starter" ~ @danorlovsky7 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/HavWDfmlqY

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 21, 2026

Dan Orlovsky on when the Raiders would start Fernando Mendoza 

Orlovsky would continue talking about the Raiders’ quarterback predicament, as in the team’s preseason win over Houston, Mendoza started the game and threw for 86 yards on completing eight of 15 pass attempts with a pick-six.

“I’m a believer that quarterbacks are never ready,” Orlovsky said. “When they believe that he’s got enough in his tool bag to survive, whether it’s intellectually handling protections, seeing some coverages, athletically, then I think that you feel as comfortable as you can putting them out there.”

At any rate, it remains to be seen when Kubiak makes an official announcement on the starter as Week 1 for Las Vegas starts on Sept. 13 against the Miami Dolphins.

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