Fans may still be shocked by the Las Vegas Raiders' decision to shop Kirk Cousins and elevate Fernando Mendoza to starting quarterback, but according to owner Mark Davis, this was always the plan.
According to Davis, elevating the 2026 No. 1 pick to the starter's job was "not if, but when."
"It's Fernando's time to start the season," Davis said, according to the Raiders' official site. "We're ready to rock and roll and keep the season going."
Cousins was traded to the Minnesota Vikings ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday. It was made clear not long after Mendoza would be starting for the Raiders in their upcoming Week 10 match against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
"It's awesome to have the full belief and support (of Davis)," Mendoza said. "If you support a plant, it can flourish and grow."
