Raiders coach Klint Kubiak: Kirk Cousins is 'our starting quarterback' over No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza

Jason OwensTue, July 28, 2026 at 7:11 PM UTC

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Fernando Mendoza was the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL Draft. But he’ll have to earn a starting job with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed to reporters Tuesday that veteran Kirk Cousins will start training camp as the Raiders’ starting quarterback.

“When we go out to practice tomorrow, Kirk Cousins the starting quarterback. He’s the guy,” Kubiak said. “He’s gonna get a ton of reps. He deserves it. He’s played really good football.

“I want Fernando and I want Aidan [Hutchinson] to push him.”

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Mendoza is obviously the Raiders’ planned quarterback of the future. But the plan, for now, is not to rush him.

The Raiders signed Cousins to a two-year contract prior to April’s NFL Draft to add a veteran presence in the room and presumably allow them to ease Mendoza into his role. How long Cousins will remain the Raiders’ starter is unclear.

How Mendoza develops and is placed into the starting position will be the most important challenge for Kubiak as a rookie head coach.

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Source: “AOL Sports”