Fernando Mendoza spent the first nine games of his NFL career watching from the sidelines, learning the demands of professional football without having to carry the offense. That changed after the Las Vegas Raiders traded Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday. The rookie quarterback finally got the starting job, but his first test offered little room to settle in. The 23-year-old was set to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, a defense that has given opposing quarterbacks very little to work with this season.

Kirk Cousins trade opens door for Fernando Mendoza

The Raiders planned to bring Mendoza along slowly after selecting him first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Kirk Cousins handled the starting duties while the rookie learned the offense and adjusted to the speed of the league.

General manager John Spytek said Mendoza given the coaching staff a difficult decision to make through his progress in practice.

Head coach Klint Kubiak saw improvements in his accuracy, command of the offense and ability to handle two-minute situations.

According to ESPN, he stayed late at the team’s indoor practice facility to study the game plan. Even during games, he followed the play calls through his headset and stayed close to quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan.

“I’m a lot more confident as a quarterback, and I feel more developed,” Mendoza said.

Cousins threw for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions in nine starts for Las Vegas. However, the Raiders decided to hand the offense to their young quarterback rather than continue with the veteran.

Seattle Seahawks defense gives Mendoza a tough first test

Sunday’s matchup presented a difficult challenge for Mendoza. The Seattle Seahawks entered the game allowing just 244.2 yards per contest, the lowest mark in the NFL. Their defense played a major role in the team’s Super Bowl run last season and continued to trouble opponents.

Kubiak knew the unit well after spending the previous season as Seattle’s offensive coordinator. He made it clear that Mendoza needed to focus on his own responsibilities.

“This is the best defense in the NFL,” Kubiak said.

Seattle safety Nick Emmanwori could make life particularly difficult for the rookie. He blitzed 54 times, the most among NFL defensive backs, and recorded 17 quarterback pressures.

The Raiders have another reason to believe their offense could compete, though. They averaged 26.4 points per game, ranking eighth in the league. Head coach Mike Macdonald praised their progress and ability to move the ball.

Mendoza completed six of eight passes for 48 yards in his only previous appearance against New England. His first full start, however, was set to demand much more from him.

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