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Mendoza Era Begins

Las Vegas Raiders General Manager John Spytek's phone began to ring early Tuesday morning. That coincided with the Minnesota Vikings inept offensive performance the night before getting beat by the Buffalo Bills 23-6.

In that contest, starting quarterback Carson Wentz had the worst game of any quarterback this season. Wentz completed only eight of 25 passes for a meager 81 yards while throwing three interceptions and was responsible for a total of four Vikings turnovers.

Minnesota was in desperate need of a quality quarterback. Therefore, they called Spytek inquiring about Kirk Cousins. Inquiring is probably the wrong word. Begging or pleading may be better suited as the Vikings have not had a decent quarterback since... Kirk Cousins.

The veteran signal caller played in Minnesota for six seasons between 2018 and 2023. He played two seasons for current Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota (2022-23) and was a Pro Bowl selection in '22 when he threw for 4,547 yards with 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. In 2022 he started eight games before suffering a torn Achilles in a game against Green Bay.

Cousins left the Vikings as a free agent in 2024, signing a 4-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons, however, drafted Michael Pennix Jr.in the 2024 first round, causing a rift between Cousins and the organization. He ended up starting 22 games for the Falcons but was released after the 2025 season and then signed with the Raiders.

Cousins was the band aid until rookie Fernando Mendoza was ready. Many Raiders fans thought Mendoza would be the opening day starter, but Spytek and head coach Klint Kubiak were very clear that Cousins was brought to Las Vegas to be the starter. Mendoza would learn from Cousins and be ready when his time would come. His time is now after the Raiders traded Cousins to the Vikings for Minnesota's third round pick next year.

Mendoza has dazzled in practice and has learned the playbook. He got some action in the Raiders blowout loss at New England on October 11th. Mendoza was 6 for 8 for 48 yards and now will get his first NFL start this Sunday versus the defending Super Bowl Champions, Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium.

Fans and teammates are anxious and excited to see how Mendoza can perform at the pro level. He was incredible in college winning the Heisman Trophy last year while leading Indiana to its first National Championship.

The deal is good for both teams. It reunites Cousins with the Vikings and their leading receiver Justin Jefferson who had career high years with Cousins throwing him the ball back in the day. The Raiders will now concentrate on developing their quarterback of the future and throw him into the fire immediately.

Hopefully, the move works out, and Mendoza can be the Raiders long awaited answer to their quarterback woes of the past. The Fernando Mendoza era has now begun, possibly sooner than expected.