The Las Vegas Raiders have named veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins as the starting signal-caller over rookie Fernando Mendoza, who was selected with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Head Coach Klint Kubiak announced the decision ahead of the team's training camp, stating that Cousins has earned the starting role.
"When we go out to practice tomorrow, Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback," Kubiak said. "He’s the guy, and he deserves it because he’s played really good football. But I want Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell to push him."
The choice reflects the established rapport between Cousins and Kubiak, who previously worked together in Minnesota from 2019 to 2021. This existing understanding of Kubiak's system provides the Raiders with a seasoned quarterback to stabilize the offense while Mendoza undergoes development.
Cousins is coming off a 2025 season with the Atlanta Falcons where he completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 10 appearances, including eight starts. Despite some struggles, he showed encouraging performances late in the season, notably throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns against Tampa Bay.
Kubiak, known for his work in quarterback development, was instrumental in Brock Purdy's rise and also improved Sam Darnold's efficiency during their time together. This track record is expected to benefit both Cousins and Mendoza.
Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana, led his team to a 16-0 season and a national championship. His collegiate performance highlighted anticipation, accuracy, and the ability to make layered throws, positioning him as a top draft prospect. He also demonstrated composure and readiness for high-pressure situations.
However, Mendoza's transition to the professional level will require patience. His college offense rarely demanded complex progressions, and he will need to improve his recognition of pressure and command of full-field concepts and protections in Kubiak's system.
While Cousins is the opening-day starter, Mendoza is widely expected to take over as the starter during his rookie season. Every strong practice performance from Mendoza could accelerate this timeline. The Raiders view Mendoza as their long-term franchise quarterback, but for now, Cousins has the opportunity to lead the offense.