Kirk Cousins dominates Raiders preseason quarterback play but coach Klint Kubiak still won't name the starter
The rookie coach is refusing to do what everyone knows he will eventually do and name Cousins the starter for the Sept.13 2025, regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins."I still don’t think we need to name anybody," Kubiak told reporters after Thursday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers.Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins watches Fernando Mendoza warm up before a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium on Aug.
13, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nev.(Getty Images)KIRK COUSINS JOINS RAIDERS TO KEEP SEAT WARM FOR FERNANDO MENDOZAAlrighty, then.We know this is some kind of motivational mind game thing Kubiak is playing because last week he told everyone he simply doesn't want any player getting comfortable with his status on the team.And that includes the quarterbacks.That's fine.
But this borders on being comical.Because in the same news conference Kubiak declined to pick a starter, he spoke of Mendoza taking backup repetitions once regular-season practices begin.Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza throws a pass during a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nev., on Aug.13, 2026.
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)RAIDERS ROOKIE FERNANDO MENDOZA THANKS GOD FOR AN NFL DEBUT THAT COMPARES FAVORABLY TO 'MR BRADY'He also said Mendoza could benefit from three more preseason games.And then there's the statistics that blare as if through a bullhorn that Cousins is the guy.Cousins on Thursday evening completed 8 of his 11 passes in action limited to the first quarter.Cousins finished the preseason 13 of 17 (76.5 completion percentage) for 101 yards with 1 TD.That means Cousins authored a 110.2 passer rating in the preseason and the team announced that is the best mark by a Raiders quarterback since 2017 for anyone with a minimum of 17 attempts.Translation: Cousins balled out.Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) is hit by Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) durin...