Las Vegas Raiders Name Kirk Cousins Starting Quarterback for 2026 Opener

The Las Vegas Raiders have officially settled their quarterback competition ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Head coach Klint Kubiak announced Wednesday that veteran Kirk Cousins will start the team's Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, putting rookie No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza in a backup role to begin his NFL career. Advertisement Kirk Cousins Is Raiders Starting Quarterback for Week 1 I asked Klint Kubiak how Fernando Mendoza continues to develop now that Kirk Cousins has been named the starter. Kubiak said the rookie will have to maximize the work around the regular practice schedule — getting in early, staying late and taking advantage of the meeting-room.… pic.twitter.com/p8DM6jEhpu — Alexa Belcastro (@alexabelcastro2) September 2, 2026 Kubiak made the announcement after Wednesday morning's practice at the Raiders' headquarters in Henderson. Cousins had remained the expected favorite throughout training camp, but the team waited until after the preseason to formally name its starter. The 38-year-old quarterback will begin his 15th NFL season as the starter for his fourth franchise. He joined Las Vegas as a free agent in April after spending the previous two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. Advertisement Cousins appeared in two preseason games for the Raiders. He completed 13 of 17 passes for 101 yards and one touchdown without an interception. Meanwhile, Mendoza played in all three preseason games and finished with 240 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on 25-of-45 passing. 'He's played really good football,' Kubiak said of Cousins, per raiders.com. 'Kirk's had a really good offseason, very good camp. He earned it.' The decision followed weeks of Cousins taking most of the first-team snaps during training camp. Kubiak also used Cousins sparingly during the preseason, further signaling the team's plans for the veteran quarterback. Advertisement Raiders Choose Veteran Over Fernando Mendoza Image: X Mendoza entered the competition with considerable expectations. The Raiders selected the Indiana standout with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after he won the Heisman Trophy and led the Hoosiers to a national championship. However, the Raiders have opted to give Mendoza additional time to develop behind an experienced starter. The decision means Mendoza will become the first quarterback selected No. 1 overall not to start his team's season opener since Baker Mayfield in 2018. Kubiak has previously emphasized the value of competition in developing young players. He also pointed to the benefits of having Mendoza watch and learn from a veteran quarterback. Advertisement 'You can build in young-guy reps into your practices,' Kubiak said, as reported by the NY Times. 'There are things you can do. It's never as good as getting all the reps in practice, but you do the best you can with what you got.' The coach did not say whether Mendoza will play during the regular season. Instead, Kubiak indicated that the team's immediate focus remains on preparing for its opener against Miami. Cousins Reunites With Kubiak in Las Vegas Image: NFL via YouTube Cousins' familiarity with Kubiak also played a role in bringing the veteran to Las Vegas. The two previously worked together in Minnesota, where Kubiak served as the Vikings' quarterbacks coach in 2019 before becoming the offensive coordinator in 2021. Advertisement Cousins earned Pro Bowl selections during both seasons working with Kubiak. He also reunites with Raiders offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko, who served as his quarterbacks coach in Minnesota during the 2021 season. The veteran quarterback will now lead the Raiders into their first regular-season game under Kubiak. Las Vegas will host the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 13. For Mendoza, the season will begin from the sideline as he continues adjusting to the NFL. General manager John Spytek has maintained that the rookie's opportunity will come, but the Raiders want him to earn his playing time while developing behind Cousins.