Raiders name Kirk Cousins starter

Kirk Cousins will open the season as the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting quarterback, coach Klint Kubiak said on Wednesday, ending a training-camp competition that also included rookie Fernando Mendoza and veteran Aidan O’Connell. The decision formalized a plan Kubiak had signaled for weeks, with Cousins taking the first-team role through most of camp. The Raiders announced the move after Wednesday practice, less than two weeks before their regular-season opener. NFL.com also reported Wednesday that Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft, is officially the backup. ### What exactly did Kubiak say about why Cousins won the job? Kubiak said Wednesday that Cousins “had a really good offseason, very good camp and he’s earned it,” according to the Raiders’ team site. The coach had declined to publicly lock in a Week 1 starter through much of the preseason, even as Cousins worked with the first unit. (raiders.com) The Raiders’ announcement said the decision followed camp and practice evaluations. Earlier in camp, Kubiak said, “When we go out to practice, Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback,” while adding that Mendoza and O’Connell needed to keep pushing him. ### How long had Cousins been tracking toward this? Training camp opened with Cousins atop the depth chart. (raiders.com) In late July, Kubiak said Cousins would begin camp as QB1 and get extensive reps with the starters, a setup that positioned the veteran as the early favorite. ESPN reported during camp that Cousins remained “in the driver’s seat” for Week 1, even as Mendoza rotated in and the Raiders evaluated the rookie’s command of the offense. (raiders.com) NFL Network, citing the most likely outcome, likewise pointed to Cousins as the expected opening-day starter. ### Where does this leave Fernando Mendoza? (nfl.com) NFL.com reported Wednesday that Mendoza is officially the backup, putting the top overall pick behind Cousins to start the year. That makes Mendoza the first quarterback drafted No. 1 overall not to start in Week 1 since Baker Mayfield in 2018, ESPN reported. Kubiak had framed Mendoza’s camp as a broader evaluation than completions and interceptions. (espn.com) In remarks reported when camp opened, he said the staff wanted to see how the rookie handled adversity, corrected mistakes and managed the workload placed on him. ### What does the move say about the Raiders’ immediate plan? (nfl.com) Cousins gives the Raiders an experienced starter while Mendoza develops behind him. Kubiak said early in camp that Cousins “deserves it because he’s played really good football,” language that pointed to a bridge arrangement built around the veteran’s experience in a young offense. (espn.com) The Raiders have not publicly described the decision as permanent beyond the opener, and roster moves remain possible before the regular season begins. Wednesday’s announcement settled only the initial depth-chart question. ### When will Cousins make his first regular-season start for Las Vegas? The Raiders’ regular-season opener is scheduled for Sept. 13 in Las Vegas against the Miami Dolphins, according to NFL.com and ESPN reports on Wednesday. (raiders.com) That game is set to be Cousins’ first official regular-season start for the franchise. (raiders.com) Sept. 13 is now the next key date for the Raiders’ quarterback plan, with Cousins set to start and Mendoza in reserve unless Las Vegas makes another move before kickoff. (nfl.com)