Raiders Name Cousins Starter Over No. 1 Pick Mendoza

Raiders coach Klint Kubiak officially named Kirk Cousins the team's starting quarterback Wednesday, confirming what had long been expected even after Las Vegas selected Fernando Mendoza first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Cousins signed, in essence, a one-year, $20 million deal with Las Vegas during free agency, knowing he'd be somewhat of a placeholder before ceding his way to the then-expected top pick, Mendoza. Still, Kubiak refrained from naming a starter until roughly a week and a half before the Sept. 13 season opener against the Dolphins. In between his signing and Wednesday morning's announcement, Cousins was firmly entrenched as the team's top option both in practice and in preseason games. Across two preseason games, Cousins completed 13 of 17 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. "He played really good football," Kubiak said. "I'm really happy with all three of our quarterbacks. Kirk's had a really good offseason, very good camp, and he's earned it." Mendoza, meanwhile, had more ups and downs in his preseason. After impressing in his (unofficial) debut, Mendoza threw interceptions in both preseason Week 2 and preseason Week 3 while completing just over half of his passes and struggling behind a leaky second-/third-string offensive line. "He needs another three preseason games," Kubiak said after the third preseason game. "All those rookies do. Now that the season is starting, the practice reps get smaller, and that's just life." Mendoza will be the first rookie quarterback taken first overall to not start in Week 1 since Baker Mayfield in 2018. Since then, six straight No. 1 overall pick quarterbacks have opened their first season as the starter: Kyler Murray (2019), Joe Burrow (2020), Trevor Lawrence (2021), Bryce Young (2023), Caleb Williams (2024). The Las Vegas Raiders aren't quite ready to give Fernando Mendoza the key to their franchise. However, the number one pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is expected to get to that point this season. NFL teams have very different philosophies when it comes to starting rookie quarterbacks. Many franchises hand over the reigns to their highly-coveted players immediately, including Drake Maye and Caleb Williams. Meanwhile, the Raiders do have precedent when it comes to taking things slow with their new QB. Klint Kubiak recently announced that Kirk Cousins will start Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. That puts Mendoza in the same category as Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Baker Mayfield when he was drafted first overall. The Cleveland Browns opted to keep Mayfield on the sidelines for the first week in 2018. The Raiders have a lot invested in Mendoza, so it makes sense why they'd take precaution with the former Indiana star. That's especially the case considering Las Vegas' offense doesn't have a lot of weapons in the passing game. Brock Bowers is an elite young tight end, but the Raiders haven't filled out their wide receiver room yet. Meanwhile, Ashton Jeanty does present promise in the rushing attack after being drafted early last season.