All articles tagged with #las vegas raiders
Raiders QB hopeful Fernando Mendoza says he's grown 'leaps and bounds' this offseason, currently repping with the third team and a few reps with the second behind Kirk Cousins and Aidan O'Connell. Coach Klint Kubiak prefers rookies not start Day 1, but Mendoza is pushing to prove himself, focusing on footwork and route timing and crediting the coaching staff for clear communication; OTAs and minicamp have him feeling ahead of where he was.
Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby says he’s excited about No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza joining Las Vegas, praising his work ethic and energy as Crosby rehabs a torn meniscus. Mendoza, who starred at Indiana (Heisman finalist, national championship), is projected to be a big part of the team’s future, though Crosby notes you must earn respect in the NFL. The piece also recalls a March-trade disconnect with the Ravens that didn’t materialize, and it hints Mendoza could rise toward QB1 with veteran Kirk Cousins around as a stabilizing presence.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the Raiders will likely start Kirk Cousins for much of the season and delay Fernando Mendoza’s debut to December, citing a challenging four-road-game November; Mendoza’s first snaps could come around December 13 vs. the Chargers, depending on preseason performance and the offense’s development.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko has been impressed by first-year quarterback Fernando Mendoza, praising his curiosity and willingness to ask ‘why’ behind every play, calling him a sponge-like learner who could push the offense to evolve. Mendoza isn’t guaranteed to start immediately, but his strong start could force early consideration if Kirk Cousins struggles, echoing the Raiders’ history with No. 1 picks like JaMarcus Russell.
A Silver Lake–led group purchases 25% of the Las Vegas Raiders in a deal valuing the franchise at $9.9 billion, with Tom Brady installed as de facto president of football operations and new minority owners like Egon Durban and Michael Meldman joining the fold; Mark Davis retains 36% control, and a March succession plan could pave the way for Durban to own the team in the future.
Entertainment executives Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro are buying small personal stakes in the Las Vegas Raiders to become minority owners as part of a multi-investor deal valuing the franchise at about $9.9 billion; Emanuel will own 1.4% and Shapiro 0.6% after closing later this month, with other investors like Michael Dell, Egon Durban, and Michael Meldman increasing stakes while Mark Davis remains the controlling owner. This marks Emanuel and Shapiro’s first NFL ownership venture.
Raiders owner Mark Davis is selling additional minority stakes as investors move to buy slices of the team. Egon Durban seeks to raise his stake to 22%, Michael Meldman to about 12.9% total, with smaller purchases by Michael Dell, Joseph Baratta, Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro. A long‑standing succession plan would let Durban potentially take control if Davis cashes out, but for now Davis remains in charge while gradually selling stakes amid questions about a future full exit.
Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza's inquisitive approach has Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko re-evaluating the offense, with the staff weighing potential changes and whether Mendoza or Kirk Cousins will start Week 1 against the Dolphins.
Las Vegas’ Klint Kubiak would rather not start rookie Fernando Mendoza Day 1, and the Raiders signed veteran Kirk Cousins before drafting him No. 1 overall. If Mendoza starts this season, Week 12 against the Browns (following a bye) is a plausible debut date, with openers against the Dolphins and others and no primetime showcase for the team this year.
Las Vegas Raiders release their 2026 schedule, featuring a three-game preseason slate (home vs Arizona, at Houston, home vs San Francisco) and a regular season that opens Sept. 13 against the Miami Dolphins and concludes with a Week 18 trip to Kansas City, with a bye in Week 13; the slate includes notable road trips to the Chargers, Saints, Jets, 49ers, Browns, Titans and Cardinals, along with several home games against the Bills, Rams, Seahawks, Chargers and Broncos.
The Las Vegas Raiders' 2026 NFL schedule has been released, listing Week-by-Week opponents, home and away games, and the Week 13 bye. Highlights include Week 1 vs Dolphins, Week 4 vs Chiefs, and a Week 18 trip to the Chiefs (kickoff time TBD). The Raiders will play eight home games (Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers, Bills, Rams, Dolphins, Seahawks, Titans) and nine away games (Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers, Cardinals, Browns, Patriots, Saints, Jets, 49ers), with the Chiefs game set to close the season in an away matchup.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ 2026 schedule will be released Thursday, May 14 at 4:30 p.m. PT on Raiders platforms, with a full league reveal at 5 p.m. on NFL Network, ESPN2 and more. The team is slated for eight home games and nine on the road; based on 2025 opponent win percentage, their 2026 slate has the seventh-toughest strength of schedule (.529). Two international game options are on the table: a trip to Paris to face the Saints or to Mexico City to play the 49ers. The NFL has a nine-game international slate in 2026 across Rio, Paris, Melbourne, Mexico City, Munich, Madrid and London, with the full international schedule set to be announced May 13.
An early 53-man projection for the Las Vegas Raiders after the 2026 NFL draft, detailing starters, backups, and potential cuts across all positions and noting heavy defensive-back competition after four picks, with quarterback room dynamics (Cousins as starter; Mendoza and O’Connell in the mix; possible trade) and other bubble players heading into training camp.
Tom Brady, as a minority owner, has empowered Raiders GM John Spytek and coach Klint Kubiak to handle the day-to-day operations as they see fit, embracing a process-driven approach and accountability—especially in the quarterback room—while Brady provides insight and support without micromanaging.
Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza says his leadership style mixes high standards with tough talk, admitting he isn’t always a nice guy and sometimes acts as an a-hole to motivate teammates; he believes leadership is earned and aims to restore the Raiders’ glory by pushing players to do their jobs.