The Las Vegas Raiders have made their choice under center to open the 2026 NFL campaign, but the clock is already ticking. Head coach Klint Kubiak announced that 38-year-old veteran Kirk Cousins will serve as the starting quarterback for the season opener against the Miami Dolphins on September 13. That decision relegates No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza to backup duties, aligning with Kubiak's stated philosophy of letting young signal-callers learn from the sideline rather than throwing them immediately into the fire.
Preseason Battle Sets the Depth Chart
Throughout training camp and exhibition play, Cousins held the inside track to retain the top job. The veteran quarterback, embarking on his 15th NFL season with his fourth franchise, completed 13 of 17 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown across his preseason action. Mendoza, coming off a national championship season at Indiana, experienced typical rookie growing pains while adjusting to pro schemes. Over the preseason slate, Mendoza completed 25 of 45 passes for 240 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, reaffirming the coaching staff's desire for steady, veteran execution to start the year.
High Stakes and Early Pressure in Las Vegas
While Cousins earned the nod, the leash on the veteran will inevitably be short in a grueling AFC West. The Raiders stumbled to a 3-14 finish last season and enter 2026 with an evolving offense that includes Aidan O'Connell in the quarterback room alongside Cousins and Mendoza. Kubiak praised Cousins' command in practice and scoring drives, but with a highly anticipated franchise cornerstone sitting right behind him, any offensive sluggishness or early-season losing skid will amplify calls from the home crowd to hand the reins to Mendoza.
Looking Ahead
For now, Mendoza will follow the developmental path taken by previous top picks who began their careers on the bench before taking over as starters. Las Vegas does not reach its bye until Week 13, meaning Cousins must establish stability early against Miami and navigate a challenging schedule. When asked about potential regular-season action for the rookie phenom, Kubiak remained focused on the immediate task: "Let's work to Miami first." Whether Cousins can keep Mendoza on the sideline for the full season will hinge entirely on how effectively he executes when the games count.
