The Las Vegas Raiders have made the decision that will shape the beginning of their 2026 offense: Kirk Cousins will be the starting quarterback in Week 1.
Head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed the decision Wednesday, Sept. 2, after practice, ending the competition between Cousins, Aidan O'Connell and Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Kirk Cousins won the quarterback competition
Kubiak explained that all three quarterbacks had a strong preseason, but Cousins ultimately won the job because of his performance and experience.
“He’s had a really good offseason, very good camp and he’s earned it,” Kubiak said when announcing the decision. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
The choice is not entirely surprising. From the beginning of training camp, Kubiak had identified Cousins as the quarterback who would receive the first-team repetitions, while still allowing Mendoza and O'Connell to compete and push him.
The difference now is that the Raiders have a definitive answer for the start of the season.
What happened to Fernando Mendoza?
Fernando Mendoza, selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, will begin the season as Cousins' backup.
The decision does not mean the Raiders have given up on their young quarterback. Instead, the team can use Cousins' experience to help Mendoza accelerate his development while he adjusts to the speed and demands of the NFL.
During the preseason, Mendoza had an opportunity to compete directly for the job. However, Cousins' experience and performance throughout camp ultimately led Kubiak to choose the veteran.
For the Raiders, the immediate priority is to begin the season with stability at quarterback while an offense featuring several young pieces develops its chemistry.
Kirk Cousins' numbers support the decision
Cousins is about to begin his 15th NFL season and enters Las Vegas with extensive experience as a starter.
The veteran quarterback has 167 starts, 44,700 passing yards, 298 touchdown passes and 88 regular-season wins. His yardage total ranks among the most prolific in NFL history. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
In two preseason appearances with the Raiders, he completed 76.5 percent of his passes for 101 yards and one touchdown. Although the sample size was small, it was enough for the coaching staff to view his performance positively.
Cousins joined Las Vegas in April after spending the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. Before that, he spent six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and six with Washington. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Cousins' challenge begins against Miami
The Raiders will open the 2026 season Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Miami Dolphins. It will be Cousins' first regular-season game as Las Vegas' starting quarterback.
The challenge will be significant because the offense needs to establish its identity quickly. Cousins brings enough experience to operate the system, but he must also build chemistry with an offensive group featuring young players and pieces entering a new phase of the project.
Choosing Cousins also gives Mendoza time to develop without the immediate pressure of carrying the offense from Week 1.
What does this mean for the Raiders?
Kubiak's decision creates a clear structure at the most important position on the roster. Cousins will start the season, while Mendoza and O'Connell must remain ready if needed.
For Mendoza, the next objective will be taking advantage of every learning opportunity alongside a quarterback with more than a decade of starting experience. For Cousins, the goal will be proving he can still lead a competitive offense.
The Raiders have chosen experience to begin 2026, while also making a major investment in their future with Mendoza. That combination could allow Las Vegas to compete now while developing the quarterback it views as a key part of its long-term plan.
Kirk Cousins will lead the Raiders into the 2026 season as their starting quarterback. Fernando Mendoza will begin as the backup, but his development will remain one of the team's most important storylines throughout the season. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}