Raiders Had Different Plan for Fernando Mendoza Before Deadline Deal

Before the deadline, some individuals within the Las Vegas Raiders organization contemplated keeping quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan's primary focus on Fernando Mendoza rather than preparing Kirk Cousins for games. As a result, Mendoza could have remained on the bench for a few more games, potentially until after the team's Week 13 bye.

Minnesota had made an approach prior to the deadline, but they did not believe a trade was feasible until after Sunday. Consequently, Mendoza will take on the defending Super Bowl champions Seattle Seahawks as the starting quarterback in his debut on Sunday. In exchange, the Raiders received a 2027 third-round draft pick. Kirk Cousins had been the Raiders' starting quarterback for all nine games of their season, completing 64.1% of his passes for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, with a passer rating of 97.1.

For Minnesota, this trade reunites the quarterback with Kevin O'Connell's offense, with whom he has worked for two seasons, as well as with receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and tight end T.J. Hockenson. The Vikings required assistance as Kyler Murray was recovering from a hamstring injury. Carson Wentz completed 8 of 25 passes, with 2 interceptions and no touchdowns in Murray's absence, against Buffalo.

Now, Cousins returns to a Minnesota team that was 6-2 at the time of the trade. Meanwhile, the Raiders are at 4-5, leaving eight regular-season games to determine if Mendoza will begin the season. His only regular-season appearance to date was against New England, where he completed 75% of his passes for 48 yards. Klint Kubiak commended the rookie's preparation when the Raiders announced the trade, stating, "He practices extremely well, and his work habits also allowed us to make this trade because we feel that he's ready to go."

Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy and a national championship at Indiana, completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and a nation-leading 41 touchdowns in his final college season. The Las Vegas Raiders are no longer on the verge of having Cousins ahead of him; his next step in development will be with the starting offense against Seattle.