The Las Vegas Raiders have settled one of their biggest questions of the summer, confirming their starting quarterback a little more than a week before the 2026 NFL season begins.
Las Vegas reshaped its quarterback room during the offseason, using the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft on Fernando Mendoza while also bringing in proven veteran Kirk Cousins.
Both quarterbacks were given a chance to make their case in recent weeks, rotating reps and splitting opportunities during the Raiders’ preseason schedule.
But head coach Klint Kubiak has now ended the competition, choosing Cousins to lead the Raiders offense in their season opener.
Cousins is set to be under center when the Raiders host the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, September 13, in a Week 1 matchup that will open a new chapter for Las Vegas.
Mendoza arrived with major expectations after a spectacular lone season at Indiana, where he captured both the national championship and the Heisman Trophy before becoming the first player selected in April’s draft.
Kirk Cousins (L) has been chosen as the Raiders’ starting quarterback ahead of Fernando Mendoza (R)
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak finalized the quarterback decision one week before the season opener
The team signed Cousins earlier that month, giving the former Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons star a one-year, $11.3 million deal.
Notably, Aidan O’Connell also made the Raiders’ 53-man roster, giving Las Vegas three quarterbacks entering the season.
Last week, Kubiak had balked at the chance to name his QB depth chart, saying all ‘three guys’ are ‘ready to play.’
‘It’s going to be some hard decisions on who’s 1, who’s 2,’ Kubiak said before deciding to keep three quarterbacks to start the year. ‘That’s not a decision we have to make today, but those are discussions that are ongoing.’
Mendoza was viewed as the heir apparent in Sin City, but he endured an up-and-down preseason.
The Heisman Trophy winner completed just 7 of 14 passes for 57 yards in the preseason finale while tossing an interception.
What’s more, Mendoza took two bad sacks in the loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
‘It’s the NFL, there are monsters on the other side of the ball and you need to get the ball out quick,’ Mendoza said afterwards. ‘It teaches you, you need to play on time, and there’s less margin for error. So I think it’s a great experience having that heat and duress because diamonds are built under pressure.’
Mendoza threw a pick-six against the Texans in preseason at the NRG Stadium in Houston
Raiders part-owner Tom Brady previously hailed the leadership qualities of Mendoza
Cousins took the vast majority of snaps in training camp, and his workload figures to increase as the Raiders enter the regular season.
O’Connell, meanwhile, completed just 3 of 9 passes for 32 yards, but did not surrender a sack.
Raiders part-owner Tom Brady previously hailed the leadership qualities of Mendoza before he was picked by the Raiders.
In the aftermath of his Heisman Trophy win, the former Patriots quarterback said on Fox: ‘I love everything about his game. His leadership is what stands out. His relatability to his teammates. He’s overcome a lot of things in his career.
‘He’s a Miami kid, went to Cal to Indiana, and then went to a program that hasn’t won anything in forever. What he’s done this season is so impressive.’
Mendoza has opened up on Brady’s guidance since he was selected by Las Vegas. He told People last month: ‘Tom’s given me a lot of advice – and I like to sometimes keep it close to the vest.
‘However, the one thing that he always says is that, hey, you’re in your early 20s and making sure you do everything possible to be successful and, and to best serve your teammates and not let your teammates down.’
‘Making sure you’re making all those decisions to the North Star and to best serve your teammates and to become the best quarterback you can become in order to help the team.’
