Raiders Name Kirk Cousins Week 1 Starter Over Top Pick Fernando Mendoza

Kirk Cousins will start for the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins, making rookie Fernando Mendoza the first No. 1 pick to sit since 2018.

Kirk Cousins will start at quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders in their season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Head coach Klint Kubiak announced the decision on Wednesday, selecting the 38-year-old veteran over rookie Fernando Mendoza. The move makes Mendoza the first quarterback selected with the first overall pick to not start in Week 1 since Baker Mayfield remained on the Cleveland Browns' bench behind Tyrod Taylor in 2018. Cousins earned the role after completing 8 of 11 passes for 51 yards across two drives in his second preseason appearance against the San Francisco 49ers. He also recorded 50 passing yards and a touchdown during the Raiders' preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

Cousins represents the ninth starting quarterback for the franchise since Derek Carr was released following the 2022 season. The pairing of Cousins and Kubiak marks the fourth different head coach-quarterback combination for the Raiders in as many years. During the 2024 season with the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. His 47.6 QBR last year tied him for 22nd in the NFL with Bryce Young. Before being benched in Week 16 for Michael Penix Jr., Cousins led Atlanta to a 6-3 start despite an arm injury and a five-game stretch featuring nine interceptions.

Preseason Performance and Roster Competition

Throughout training camp, Cousins took the majority of the starting repetitions after joining the team in April. His familiarity with Kubiak stems from their previous tenure together with the Minnesota Vikings, where Cousins played before suffering a torn Achilles in 2023. In contrast, Mendoza spent the majority of the summer working with the second-team offense. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner finished the preseason with 18 completions on 31 attempts for 181 yards, one touchdown, and one interception returned for a touchdown. Mendoza struggled in the exhibition finale against San Francisco, posting a 31 passer rating while completing 7 of 14 passes for 57 yards and one interception.

General manager John Spytek noted that the organization intended for Mendoza to develop behind a veteran from the moment he arrived in Las Vegas. Mendoza received two opportunities to practice with the starters during camp, but Cousins maintained the QB1 status he held since the start of the summer. Kubiak praised Cousins for having a productive offseason and training camp, stating the veteran "earned it" through his play. The Raiders opted to rest Cousins during the final preseason game against the Houston Texans to prepare for the regular season.

Historical Context and Team Strategy

The decision to sit Mendoza aligns with the team's plan established when they signed Cousins less than a month after his release from Atlanta. During his two-year stint with the Falcons, Cousins started 22 of 24 possible games. By starting Cousins, the Raiders aim to remain competitive immediately while the roster adjusts to a new offensive scheme. Spytek expressed satisfaction with Mendoza’s work ethic and commitment, though he emphasized that the rookie must continue to earn his opportunities daily.

Kubiak declined to provide a specific timeline for when Mendoza might see game action this year. The rookie will now wait for his debut, similar to Mayfield’s three-game wait in 2018. Cousins enters the season looking to improve upon his 2024 statistics, which were hampered by late-season performance dips. The Raiders' offensive strategy relies on the veteran's experience to stabilize a position that has seen frequent turnover for three consecutive seasons.