The Las Vegas Raiders have officially named veteran Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback for Week 1 of the NFL season, confirming that 2026 No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza will open his rookie season on the sidelines as the backup. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed the decision ahead of the teams regular-season opener at home against the Miami Dolphins on 13 September 13.Kirks going to be the starting quarterback, Kubiak announced. He played really good football. Im really happy with all three of our quarterbacks. Kirks had a really good off-season, a very good camp and hes earned it.Cousins, 38, brings a wealth of experience to the Raiders with more than a decade of starting experience across stints with Washington, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Atlanta Falcons.Cousins signed with the Raiders in April after two seasons in Atlanta, where he threw for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 10 appearances in 2025.During the preseason, Cousins solidified his grip on the job by completing 76.4 percent of his passes (13 of 17) for 101 yards and a touchdown across two exhibition starts.Behind him sits Mendoza, whom Las Vegas selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft after a historic college campaign with Indiana, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the Hoosiers to a College Football Playoff national championship.Mendozas time is coming, but hes got to earn it every day, and he knows that, said Raiders general manager John Spytek.I think were all very pleased with the person and his work ethic and his commitment to being a great quarterback. Topics fernando mendoza Kirk Cousins Las Vegas Raiders NFL Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read NFL: Lions place Pacheco on IR list ahead of new season Mitch Fretton 2nd September, 2026 Aaron Donald expecting to play at high level in return to Rams: If I didnt, I wouldnt be here Mitch Fretton 31st August, 2026 Deshaun Watson set to start for Browns despite turbulent preseason Ben Miller 24th August, 2026 Texans lose receiver Higgins to season-ending injury Nicholas McGee 19th August, 2026 Saints suffer Kamara blow with star RB set to miss start of season Nicholas McGee 19th August, 2026 Bijan Robinson: The stats behind Atlanta Falcons NFL-record new deal Ben Miller 4th August, 2026
