Klint Kubiak still won't name Raiders starting QB but choice is clear
The choice as to who should start at QB in Las Vegas is clear. And it makes the Raiders look that much smarter for how he handled the position.
On Thursday night, the Oakland Raiders concluded their preseason matchup against the San Francisco 49ers without scoring a touchdown. Although both teams played, the game highlighted which quarterback is prepared for the regular season, and which still has room for improvement. Kirk Cousins began the game as the starter, as he did during the preseason opener.
He demonstrated his proficiency by leading his team on two complete drives, covering 46 yards on 12 plays and 45 yards on 10 plays, resulting in field goals and a strong 72% completion rate.
Fernando Mendoza, the backup quarterback, entered the game in the second half. He completed 7 out of 14 passes (50%) for 57 yards, an interception on his second pass, and was not as efficient as Cousins. Mendoza remarked that the transition from college to the NFL is challenging, with speed, adjustments, and a tough competitive environment being key factors.
The Raiders' head coach, Klint Kubiak, has been reluctant to officially declare a starting quarterback for the regular season opener. Despite this, Cousins remains confident that he will secure the starting role, focusing on giving his best effort and learning from the experience. Kubiak believes that Mendoza requires more time to fully adapt to the NFL, acknowledging that the development process takes time.
The coach's decision aligns with the strategy many successful NFL quarterbacks took when entering the league, including Cousins.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
