Raiders name Kirk Cousins starting QB for Week 1, benching No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza

Key facts

Kirk Cousins named Raiders starting QB by coach Klint Kubiak on Wednesday, Sept. 2
Season opener against Dolphins on Sept. 13; Cousins on one-year, $20 million deal
Cousins: 13-of-17 passing, 101 yards, 1 TD across two preseason games
Mendoza (No. 1 overall pick) threw interceptions in both preseason Weeks 2 and 3, completed just over 50% of passes
First No. 1 QB pick to not start Week 1 since Baker Mayfield in 2018; six straight picks (Murray through Ward) started Week 1

The decision

Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak officially named Kirk Cousins the starting quarterback Wednesday morning, roughly a week before the team’s Sept. 13 season opener against the Miami Dolphins. The move confirms what the organization had signaled throughout the offseason: Cousins, 38, would start the 2026 season while No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza learned behind him.

Cousins’ contract and preseason performance

Cousins signed a one-year deal worth $20 million as a free agent, with the understanding he would serve as a bridge starter before eventually yielding to the team’s top draft pick. In two preseason games, Cousins completed 13 of 17 passes for 101 yards and one touchdown. Kubiak praised the veteran’s work, saying: “He’s played really good football. Kirk’s had a really good offseason, very good camp, and he’s earned it.”

Mendoza’s preseason struggles

Mendoza showed early promise in his first preseason appearance but struggled in subsequent outings. In preseason Weeks 2 and 3, he threw interceptions and completed just over 50 percent of his passes while working behind a makeshift offensive line of second- and third-string players. Kubiak acknowledged the learning curve, saying after the third preseason game that Mendoza “needs another three preseason games. All those rookies do.”

Historical context

Mendoza will become the first No. 1 overall pick at quarterback to not start in Week 1 since Baker Mayfield in 2018. Since then, six consecutive first-overall QB picks opened their first season as starters: Kyler Murray (2019), Joe Burrow (2020), Trevor Lawrence (2021), Bryce Young (2023), Caleb Williams (2024), and Cam Ward (2025).

Cousins’ recent history

Cousins appeared in 10 games for the Atlanta Falcons last year, starting eight. He went 5-3 as a starter, throwing for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions with a 61 percent completion rate. He ranked 27th among 33 qualified quarterbacks in expected points added per dropback.

What is next

The Raiders open the 2026 season against Miami on Sept. 13 with Cousins under center. The team’s schedule following that features matchups against the Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, and New England Patriots, among others.

Sources

Featured photo: BrokenSphere via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)