Fernando Mendoza named Raiders’ starting QB vs. Seahawks and going forward

Ready or not, Fernando Mendoza has been thrust into the starting quarterback role for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Mendoza will make his first start against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday and going forward, Raiders general manager John Spytek announced Tuesday.

The organization had been taking the patient approach in developing the No. 1 overall pick behind the scenes as he served as an understudy to Kirk Cousins, but the veteran was dealt to Minnesota ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.

That accelerated the timeline of getting Mendoza on the field for a 4-5 team that is still on the fringe of the AFC playoff picture.

It’s a tough act to follow for Mendoza, who won a national championship and Heisman Trophy at Indiana last season. Cousins is second in the league in touchdown passes and fifth in passing yards for a team that ranks last in the NFL in yards per carry.

Mendoza went 6-for-8 for 48 yards in his lone appearance of the season, a late drive in a blowout loss to the New England Patriots last month.

Only three of the 29 quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall in the draft’s common era have waited longer than the 10th game of their rookie season to make their first career start.

Eli Manning and Jared Goff both also made their first start in the 10th game of their rookie seasons.

Vinny Testaverde (12th game), JaMarcus Russell (16th game) and Carson Palmer (first game of second season) all sat longer.

The last six quarterbacks picked at the top of the draft started Week 1 of their rookie seasons.

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