Mendoza to Start Sunday as Raiders Trade Cousins to Vikings

Fernando Mendoza will make his first start as the Raiders quarterback on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. at Allegiant Stadium. The team faces the Seattle Seahawks in this matchup, which marks the beginning of Mendoza's tenure as the primary signal caller for the club.

The change follows a trade completed Tuesday morning, just over an hour before the NFL trade deadline. Las Vegas sent Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings. In return, the Raiders received a third-round pick, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This deal contradicts earlier reports that the team would only consider moving the 38-year-old veteran for a second-round selection.

Cousins finished his time in Las Vegas with 20 touchdown passes, second in the league. His final game as a Raider ended in a loss to the 49ers on Sunday, where he threw three interceptions. Despite that recent stumble, his tenure included a strong start to the season when the Raiders won their first three games and led the Kansas City Chiefs at halftime in Week 5.

Mendoza enters the role after practicing with the first team for several weeks. He received his first NFL action last month during a blowout loss to the New England Patriots. In that single drive, he completed six of eight passes for 48 yards and rushed for three yards. He also won the Heisman Trophy and led his college team to the College Football Playoff championship last year.

The Raiders currently hold a 4-5 record after losing four of their last five games. They are facing a Seattle defense that has been rated as the best in the league over the past year and a half. Mendoza's ability to run the ball adds a new dimension to the offense, though he struggled with interceptions during training camp and the preseason.

First-year coach Klint Kubiak and the front office viewed this season as a foundation for long-term success with Mendoza. The trade accelerates that plan by placing the No. 1 overall draft pick into the starting role immediately. The team will now rely on Mendoza to generate plays while the roster addresses its defensive and offensive line weaknesses.