Kirk Cousins has always been the favorite to land the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting quarterback job: He has the experience; he had head coach Klint Kubiak’s backing ahead of training camp.

But an anonymous source believes rookie Fernando Mendoza is set to start sooner than previously thought.

On The Pat McAfee Show, NFL insider Adam Schefter shared that he received a text message that stated: “Mendoza will start sooner than you think.”

The Raiders have been reluctant to officially name a starting quarterback, an indication that the door for Mendoza is still open. But Cousins is expected to be the Week 1 starter against the Miami Dolphins.

“I still think it’s gonna be Kirk. I’d be surprised if it was anyone other than Kirk at this point in time. I think that’s the way it’s been trending all along,” Schefter said.

If the Raiders fall to the Dolphins in the season opener, there could be reason for the team to make a change at quarterback. But Las Vegas personnel have been adamant the organization doesn’t want to rush Mendoza’s development.

If Mendoza is thrust into a game by Week 2, the Raiders wouldn’t be standing by their philosophy for the rookie. However, the unknowns of the NFL season have yet to be revealed.

But the more Cousins has success as the starting quarterback, the longer the Raiders can hold off Mendoza’s debut.

“There’s no doubt his time is coming. He’s going to be the starter. He’s going to be the face of the franchise,” Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show.

“The question is how soon?”

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