Kirk Cousins Named Starting Quarterback for Raiders

Kirk Cousins has been designated as the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, as announced by head coach Klint Kubiak during a press conference. This decision comes as the team gears up for the 2026 season, which begins on September 13 against the Dolphins.

Cousins did not participate in practice on Wednesday, taking a rest day, which allowed rookie Fernando Mendoza to gain valuable experience with the first-team offense. Kubiak emphasized the importance of live reps for Mendoza's development.

Despite the perception that Cousins was named starter by default, Kubiak expressed his satisfaction with Cousins' performance throughout the offseason, noting that the competition among quarterbacks has led to improvements across the roster.