Five hot QB battles ahead of 2026 NFL season: When will Fernando Mendoza start?

Five hot quarterback battles ahead of the 2026 NFL season center on Fernando Mendoza and veteran Kirk Cousins in Las Vegas. When a team drafts a No. 1 overall QB, competition typically follows, but the Raiders face a unique dynamic with a four-time Pro Bowl veteran in their schedule-release video. The question is whether Cousins will mentor Mendoza or challenge him for the starting role, with Ian Rapoport reporting that the expectation and best-case scenario could involve Cousins starting this year. The storyline sets Mendoza up for a possible Week 1 start or sooner if he earns the job.