Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak announced Wednesday that the team is naming Kirk Cousins its Week 1 starting quarterback against the Miami Dolphins, meaning Fernando Mendoza will begin his career as a backup."(Cousins has) played really good football, I’m really happy with all three of (the) quarterbacks.Kirk’s had a really good offseason, very good camp, and he’s earned it," Kubiak told reporters.Kirk Cousins of the Las Vegas Raiders leaves the field after the team's 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on Aug.
13, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nev.(Getty Images)When asked if he expects Mendoza to play at all this year, Kubiak deflected the question and said the team is focused on the Dolphins.Raiders general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady have been advocates about letting a rookie develop behind a veteran quarterback, which makes the team's decision to roll with Cousins unsurprising.Spytek said Mendoza has shown the team everything it learned about him in the draft process when talking to reporters Tuesday."He’s a tireless worker.
He loves football.He loves his teammates.
He’s energetic on the field.He’s self-critical.
He’s self-aware.He’s very accurate," Spytek said during a recent press conference.
"His time is coming, but he’s got to earn it every day, and he knows that.I think we’re all very pleased with the person and his work ethic and his commitment to being a great quarterback."When asked if the team has a proof of concept for how to best develop a young quarterback, Spytek cited examples from multiple different processes.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)"Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, Patrick Mahomes, but Jayden Daniels.
Like you said, there’s success stories and failures in both ways," Spyte...