Kirk Cousins Named Starting Quarterback for Raiders

On Wednesday, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak announced that Kirk Cousins will be the starting quarterback for the team. This decision aligns with the Raiders' strategy to allow their No. 1 pick, Fernando Mendoza, to develop gradually.

Cousins, who is 37 years old, has a notable history in the NFL, having been drafted by Washington in 2012. He has played for the Vikings and most recently the Falcons before joining the Raiders, where he signed a contract worth $20 million for 2026.

In the previous season, Cousins played 10 games for the Falcons, starting eight, and achieved a completion rate of 61.7 percent, throwing for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. The situation regarding Mendoza's potential playing time will be monitored throughout the season.