Raiders Name Kirk Cousins Week 1 Starter
PUBLISHED Sep 3, 2026, 4:32 PM ET
The Las Vegas Raiders announced that thirty-eight-year-old quarterback Kirk Cousins will start the team's regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Head coach Klint Kubiak finalized the decision after consulting with minority owner Tom Brady, positioning the veteran under center to begin the campaign. Fernando Mendoza, selected first overall in the recent NFL Draft, will serve as the primary backup while adjusting to professional competition. Leadership structured the roster to prioritize immediate veteran experience within a competitive conference landscape. Cousins assumes immediate pressure to deliver positive results, while the timeline for the rookie top pick to inherit the starting role remains a central storyline. The franchise avoids rushing their young prospect into high-stakes action, opting for stability during the early schedule. This quarterback management strategy balances near-term competitiveness with long-term development as the opening weeks unfold across the league.
By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News
- Articles Published:
- 38
- Right Leaning:
- 1
- Left Leaning:
- 1
- Neutral:
- 36
- Distribution:
- Left 3%, Center 95%, Right 3%
Left: Highlighted organizational caution regarding rookie development timelines and protection. Center: Focused strictly on factual depth chart decisions and coaching strategy. Right: Emphasized veteran leadership value and immediate competitive necessity.
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak named Kirk Cousins starter. https://www.raiders.com/news/kirk-cousins-named-raiders-starting-quarterback
Coverage of Story:
From Center
Raiders Name Kirk Cousins Week 1 Starter Over Rookie
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