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Raiders new head coach Klint Kubiak names Kirk Cousins starting QB over No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza
New Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has named veteran Kirk Cousins as his starting quarterback for the 2026 season, choosing him over rookie Fernando Mendoza, the team's No. 1 overall draft pick. The decision, confirmed as training camp gets under way, settles months of speculation about whether the Raiders would turn straight to their top pick or ease him in behind an experienced starter.
Cousins, a long-time NFL starter, arrives at the Raiders after previous stints elsewhere in the league, while Mendoza enters his rookie season as the team's highest-drafted quarterback in years. Kubiak's call suggests a preference for stability and experience under centre as he begins his first year in charge, with the possibility that Mendoza could eventually take over depending on performance and results once the season begins.
In short
- Kirk Cousins named Raiders' starting QB, not rookie Fernando Mendoza
- Decision confirmed by new head coach Klint Kubiak at training camp
- Mendoza was the Raiders' No. 1 overall draft pick
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The case for naming Cousins rests on prudent team-building and risk management. A proven NFL starter provides stability in year one under a new coach, allowing the organisation to establish an offensive identity and foundation without rushing a rookie into a high-pressure role where early mistakes could damage his development trajectory. Cousins' experience affords Mendoza valuable time to learn the system, refine his mechanics, and prepare psychologically for professional demands, whilst the team remains competitive.
The case against
The counter-argument holds that naming Cousins undermines the strategic rationale for drafting Mendoza first overall. If the prospect warranted the top selection, he merits the opportunity to develop through live competition rather than remaining benched. Delaying his ascension wastes critical developmental reps and real game experience; moreover, Cousins is a short-term solution who will depart after one or two seasons, squandering Mendoza's prime learning window when the organisation should be building around its quarterback of the future.
Explained simply
The Las Vegas Raiders have appointed Klint Kubiak as their new head coach for the 2026 season. The team has two quarterbacks: Kirk Cousins, an experienced veteran who has started numerous games, and Fernando Mendoza, a young player drafted first overall this year.
When a new coach takes over a team with a recently drafted top quarterback, an early key decision is who will start at the position. This choice affects both the team's competitive outlook this season and how the rookie's professional development unfolds.
Such decisions often come down to a coach's philosophy about balancing immediate success with long-term development. The quarterback is vital to any team's prospects, so this choice is particularly significant for the franchise's direction.
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