Kirk Cousins to begin season as Raiders’ starting quarterback
Cousins beats out 2026 No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza for the starting job.
The Las Vegas Raiders have named veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins as their starting player for the upcoming season opener against the Miami Dolphins on September 13. This decision comes after Cousins outperformed rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza and fellow contender Aidan O’Connell in preseason games. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak praised Cousins, stating that the quarterback had a great offseason and camp, which contributed to his selection as the starter.
Cousins, 38, played well in two preseason appearances, completing 13 of 17 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Mendoza, the top overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, received first-team reps in Cousins' absence and is expected to improve with time. The Raiders released Cousins from their team in March, midway through his four-year, $180 million contract, but re-signed him in April.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Raiders to start Cousins over top NFL Draft pick Mendoza sports.yahoo.com
