Raiders GM says Fernando Mendoza 'passed every test' to earn starting job after Kirk Cousins trade

Spytek said Mendoza "passed every test" on his way to taking over the starting job.Mendoza, the No.1 overall pick in April’s NFL draft, will make his first start in Week 10 when the Seattle Seahawks visit Allegiant Stadium.

The Seahawks won their second Super Bowl in February.Mendoza has already appeared in one game, seeing limited action in Week 5 against the New England Patriots, the same team Seattle defeated in the Super Bowl.Mendoza has thrown for 49 yards so far in his rookie season.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.

If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGELas Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza looks to throw against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug.

20, 2026, in Houston.(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)"It's something that he's worked very hard for since the moment he walked into this building," Spytek told reporters about Mendoza.

"I want to stop short of saying he's earned it, but he put us in a position where we had to make a really hard decision today, with his growth as a person, as a teammate, as a leader, as a quarterback."Spytek insisted the pivot to Mendoza did not signal that the Raiders believed their 2026 season was over.The Raiders fell to 4-5 after last Sunday’s 38-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers but remain in the playoff hunt."That is not the intention of this," Spytek said.

"We have a big game this week against the defending world champs, and we intend to attack it like we would any week.That's expected of us."THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE.

DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!First-year Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak saidLas Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins watches Fernando Mendoza warm up before a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadiu...