Tom Brady Claims Fernando Mendoza Will Not be Handed Raiders’ Starting QB Job Over Kirk Cousins, He’ll Have to “Earn It”

Tom Brady is against starting rookies from day one, even if he is a Heisman Trophy winner.

Tom Brady Claims Fernando Mendoza Will Not be Handed Raiders’ Starting QB Job Over Kirk Cousins, He’ll Have to “Earn It”

Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza and Tom Brady inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

The message from Tom Brady to Fernando Mendoza is clear: the Las Vegas Raiders will not hand him the starter’s job right away. Mendoza must prove himself by defeating Kirk Cousins at the July training camp.

Experts believe Mendoza is the future of the Raiders franchise. So, it makes sense for him to experience gameday pressure as early as possible.

Brady is not in favor of thrusting rookies into the NFL, especially Mendoza. Sure, he’s the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and CFP champion, but that matters little in the NFL. It’s a different ball game altogether.

Then again, Brady doesn’t rule out Mendoza starting in week one. However, he has to earn it.

He’s got to go out there and earn it like everybody else… none of these young players. None of the rookies have ever had a meaningful snap in the NFL.

Tom Brady said on The Claman Countdown Show

The Raiders brought in Cousins after he left Atlanta earlier in the year. Bettors in Vegas view the Pro Bowler as the starter. However, Cousins won’t complain if Mendoza pips him for the QB1 job.

Mendoza played three seasons with the University of California college team before transferring to the Indiana University. In 2025, Mendoza completed a career-high 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards, threw 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions.

Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers to consecutive postseason victories before taking down the Miami Hurricanes in the final to become college champions for the first time in the school’s history.

The Raiders drafted Mendoza first overall in the 2026 draft. Instead of taking center stage at the venue (Pittsburgh), Mendoza stayed back in Miami to share the moment with his family.

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Analyst gives update on the Raiders QB1 race featuring Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins

Cousins, 37, signed a five-year contract worth up to $172 million with the Raiders. By the numbers alone, Cousins should be the clear favorite from the get-go.

Tom Brady Claims Fernando Mendoza Will Not be Handed Raiders' Starting QB Job Over Kirk Cousins, He'll Have to "Earn It"
Fernando Mendoza (Image via IMAGO)

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio recently disclosed who is ahead at the moment.

There’s a belief out there that Kirk Cousins is going to be the starter [in] Week 1. And they’re going to let Fernando Mendoza sit and watch and learn.

Florio said

Playing Cousins could work for the Raiders. However, Florio pointed out that if Mendoza performed better at the camp and the Raiders front office still went with Cousins, the star players on the team could speak out against it.

You’ve got some grand strategic plan that you’re going to let him sit for a year, what’s Maxx Crosby going to say about that? What’s Brock Bowers going to say about that? What’s any veteran player going to say?

Florio stated

Fernando Mendoza adds another trophy to his cabinet

Fernando Mendoza’s mantlepiece is already filled with his previous accolades; earlier in the week, he added a brand new one. Mendoza was announced as the Best College Athlete in Men’s Sports at ESPN’s 2026 ESPY Awards in New York City.

The Raiders have a tough schedule ahead of them. The combined win record of their 2026 opponents is 153-136-0.

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