Kirk Cousins is officially the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders’ Week 1 opener, a decision Coach Klint Kubiak dropped on Wednesday, September 2. This wasn’t exactly a shocker for anyone paying attention, but it still puts a loud stamp on the Raiders’ quarterback plan. Cousins gets the nod for their season kickoff against the Miami Dolphins in Las Vegas.
Kubiak didn’t mince words when talking about his QB1. This isn’t some token gesture, folks. Kubiak laid it out: Cousins “played really good football” and flat-out “earned it.” Think about that, after all the offseason chatter, the man put in the work, had a “really good offseason, very good camp,” and proved he’s the guy under center. Kubiak even specifically called out his growth in “leadership and his command,” and that’s exactly what you need from your signal-caller on game day. It’s a no-brainer when you have that kind of history, too. Kubiak coached Cousins as the Vikings’ quarterback coach in 2019 and 2020, then as offensive coordinator in 2021. That’s a deep connection, a level of comfort and trust that you just can’t manufacture overnight, and it’s all about comfort and familiarity to kick off a new season.
Now, here’s where things get wild: this decision means No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is going to be holding a clipboard alongside Aidan O’Connell as the backup. Yeah, you heard that right: the *first overall pick* in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Raiders brass have been pretty clear, though, about taking a conservative approach with Mendoza as he adapts to the ruthless NFL grind. And honestly, Mendoza’s preseason numbers showed some classic rookie growing pains. He completed 25 of 48 passes for 240 yards, snagged one touchdown, but also coughed up two interceptions. He definitely had some flashes, some positive moments that made you go “ooooh,” but the speed of the game and those complex defensive coverages seemed to give him a headache. Those are tough to swallow, especially when you’re the first name off the board. Get this, even Raiders co-owner Tom Brady was in on the decision making! Kubiak admitted they “lean on him for a lot of things,” chatting “multiple times a week.” Brady’s been “extremely helpful for roster building, for schematics, for team building” and an “extremely impressive resource.” When Tom Brady, a literal football legend, is in the room, you know the stakes are high and they’re serious about this plan.
So, this whole move screams “bridge quarterback and mentor” for Cousins, just like the Raiders intended when they signed him this offseason. It’s clear they’re sticking to that script, loud and proud. Cousins is there to get them settled, lead the way, and help bring Mendoza along slowly. The Raiders kick off their season at home against the Miami Dolphins, and you can bet all eyes will be on Cousins to see if this bridge plan can actually hold steady.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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