What happened: The start follows a trade of the previous starter earlier this week. Mendoza had appeared in one game before taking over.
Why it matters: The change gives the rookie his first sustained playing time near the midpoint of the regular season. He is also slated to start the following game.
By the numbers: Mendoza completed 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards in 2026 through one game.
What to watch: Sunday's game will provide his first full-start performance to assess.