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It’s a given that the keys to the Raiders’ offense will eventually be handed to Fernando Mendoza, the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and the Heisman Trophy winner and national champion from Indiana.
The question is, will it be Week 1, Week 8 or next season?
Veteran Kirk Cousins is the insurance policy in case the Raiders believe Mendoza needs some time to develop.
If Cousins can get back to his 2023, pre-Achilles injury form, he can give the Raiders a quarterback edge more often than not this season.
But that is a huge if, based on how Cousins played in Atlanta the last two seasons. And given the inevitable learning curve Mendoza will experience if and when he gets the call this season, the Raiders could be at a slight disadvantage at quarterback in 2026.
We rank the quarterbacks they face this season and who has the edge:
1. Matthew Stafford, Rams, Week 7
Stafford is coming off an MVP season and is showing no signs of let-up. After agreeing to a new contract extension with the Rams, he figures to be a problem for the rest of the league for at least two more seasons.
It doesn’t hurt that he’s well protected, operates in an offensive system overseen by Sean McVay, throws to one of the NFL’s best wide receivers and a slew of effective tight ends. Oh, and the Rams can run the ball effectively, too.
Edge: Rams
2. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs, Week 4 and 18
It will be interesting to see where Mahomes is in Week 4 compared with Week 18. He’s coming off a serious late-season knee injury, which could hamper him earlier in the season.
The Chiefs will be prudent with him early on, but as long as he’s on the field, he remains one of the best quarterbacks in the game. If he’s completely healthy and the Chiefs sew up some weaknesses offensively, it won’t be long before he is at the top of the list of NFL quarterbacks.
Edge: Chiefs
3. Josh Allen, Bills, Week 6
It’s still hard to believe Allen coughed up a career-high four turnovers in the Bills’ loss to the Broncos in the playoffs. The early postseason exit led to the firing of coach Sean McDermott, who was replaced by offensive-minded coach Joe Brady.
The Brady-Allen tandem could be interesting, as Brady likely has some things under his sleeve to help maximize Allen. And you have to figure Allen will be highly motivated to redeem himself after the disastrous end to last season.
Edge: Bills
4. Justin Herbert, Chargers, Weeks 2 and 14
Like Allen, the ultra-talented Herbert is now working under a highly regarded new offensive coach. In Herbert’s case, it’s former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, and McDaniel is indicating he has a few ideas on how to make Herbert an even more efficient quarterback.
Herbert has done just about everything in his career other than win a playoff game. It’s almost unfathomable to even think that, given how he’s a top-five talent, but it’s true.
Edge: Chargers
5. Brock Purdy, 49ers, Week 9
Make all the arguments you want about Purdy simply being the product of Kyle Shanahan’s system. But do so at your own peril. Shanahan isn’t a magician, and a handful of other QBs he’s coached never came close to reaching Purdy’s level.
When he’s healthy, he delivers high-end production within the structure of the offense, and the 49ers win games. A ton of them. And they’ve been in the Super Bowl hunt when he’s under center.
Edge: 49ers
6. Sam Darnold, Seahawks, Week 10
At some point, there has to be a movie made about Darnold’s career turnaround, right? Kicked to the curb by two (at the time, clueless) teams and assumed by everyone to be one of the biggest busts ever, Darnold has completely remade himself not only as a solid quarterback but also a Super Bowl champion who many now believe has an even higher ceiling to climb to.
Edge: Seahawks
7. Drake Maye, Patriots, Week 5
After putting up MVP-caliber numbers in the regular season, Maye stalled in the playoffs. Albeit during a Super Bowl run by the Patriots.
We can read a lot or a little into his mediocre performances in the AFC Championship game and Super Bowl, but clearly he has some work to do.
And that’s how it should be for a quarterback with just two seasons of NFL service time.
It will be interesting to see where he goes from here.
Edge: Patriots
8. Bo Nix, Broncos, Weeks 11 and 15
With Davis Webb now taking over the offensive playcalling from Sean Payton — or so it seems — the handcuffs could come off the game plans that seemed to overly protect Nix.
One has to wonder what Payton’s been so afraid of in how he’s carefully handled Nix.
Maybe we’re about to find out.
Edge: Broncos
9. Cam Ward, Titans, Week 16
Ward has all the tools to be successful, but it was hard to get a read on the top pick in the 2025 draft for various reasons involving coaching, a bad supporting cast and the perception it could take a while before he makes the transition to the NFL.
Some projection is needed, so he gets this spot based on potential.
We won’t be surprised if he climbs up the list or falls further down by Week 16, though.
Edge: Push
10. Tyler Shough, Saints, Week 3
Shough played reasonably well during his 11-game rookie stint last year. The key now is to keep improving while also adjusting to the inevitable adjustments the NFL will make in defending him.
The rest of the league now has plenty of film on him, and he needs to brace for that reality.
We’re going to assume Cousins is the Raiders’ quarterback in Week 3, but if it’s Mendoza, it means the Raiders are convinced the rookie is ready to roll. If that is the case, he could be in for a big rookie season.
Edge: Raiders
11. Geno Smith, Jets, Week 8
It’s still shocking to remember how quickly it went badly for Smith in his one season in Las Vegas. Not all of it was his fault, of course. But he was downright bad; there is no getting around that.
The Jets were desperate for a quarterback, so they brought him back to New York. It’s the epitome of a stop-gap situation. The Jets will be back looking for a new quarterback in the 2027 draft.
Edge: Raiders
12. Malik Willis, Dolphins, Week 1
Willis is interesting because his limited playing time the last two years in Green Bay was pretty convincing. He connected on 78.7% of his passes with six touchdowns and zero interceptions.
But then again, he only attempted 89 passes. Talk about a small sample size. Now he takes his talents to South Beach, where he won’t have nearly the help he had with the Packers.
He’s a fascinating player to watch, to be sure.
Edge: Raiders
13. Shedeur Sanders, Browns, Week 12
Listing Sanders here feels like a placeholder. When it comes to the Browns, who really knows who will be lining up under center by this point in the season.
It could be Deshaun Watson, Sanders, Dillon Gabriel or rookie Taylen Green for all we know.
The common theme: Does anyone argue the Browns won’t draft another quarterback, if given a high draft pick next year?
Edge: Raiders
14. Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals, Week 17
Another team with another placeholder at quarterback. Take your choice here. Is it Brissett, who’s been giving the Cardinals the cold shoulder this offseason? Or Gardner Webb? Carson Beck, anyone?
Anyway, you get the point.
Edge: Raiders
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