No rookie QBs are set to start in Week 1 for just the second time in the last 19 seasons
The Las Vegas Raiders have opted to start their first-round pick, Kirk Cousins, rather than their highly touted No. 1 overall selection, Fernando Mendoza, in the upcoming Week 1 game. This decision marks the second time in the last 19 seasons that no rookie quarterback will start the season opener. The last instance occurred in 2022 when Kenny Pickett, taken 20th overall, started instead of Kenny Pickett.
Prior to that, the last time such a thing happened was in 2007 when JaMarcus Russell, the first overall draft pick, started his first game late in the season. The Raiders are also set to follow a record-breaking streak by having a different head coach and starting quarterback for the opener in four consecutive seasons. The NFL will begin in a new format this year, as the Seattle Seahawks will open their season at home against the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch.
This will be the fourth straight season with a Week 1 Super Bowl rematch, following a 12-year break from 1998 to 2013.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
