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Sports

Raiders Name Cousins Week 1 Starter

Raiders name Kirk Cousins as Week 1 starter, sidelining No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza.

The Briefly Pulse Desk September 2, 2026 1 min read 2 views
Raiders Name Cousins Week 1 Starter

The update

The Las Vegas Raiders have officially named Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback for the Week 1 season opener against the Miami Dolphins. First-year head coach Klint Kubiak made the announcement during a press conference, confirming that Cousins will take the field over rookie Fernando Mendoza. This decision comes after Cousins demonstrated strong performance during the preseason, including a strong showing against the San Francisco 49ers.

Why it matters

This makes Cousins the ninth player to start at quarterback for the Raiders since parting ways with Derek Carr in 2022. The choice of Cousins over the No. 1 overall pick Mendoza signals a preference for veteran experience and immediate competitiveness. Cousins and Kubiak’s previous collaboration with the Minnesota Vikings provides a familiar offensive scheme, potentially accelerating the team’s transition under the new coaching staff.

What to watch

The Raiders have not specified whether they expect Mendoza to see action during the 2026 season. While Cousins is set to start, the team’s long-term plans for the rookie remain unclear. Readers should watch for any updates on Mendoza’s role as the season progresses and monitor the team’s performance in the early weeks to gauge the effectiveness of this quarterback decision.

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