HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders officially have a starting quarterback heading into training camp, and head coach Klint Kubiak made it clear there is no mystery about who will take the first-team reps.
“Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback. He’s the guy,” Kubiak said Tuesday. “He’s going to get a ton of reps, and he deserves it because he’s played really good football.”
While Cousins enters camp atop the depth chart, Kubiak emphasized that the quarterback room remains competitive. Rookie Fernando Mendoza, veteran Aidan O’Connell, and Jacob Eason will all continue battling throughout camp and the preseason, but Cousins has earned the opportunity to lead the offense entering Week 1 preparations.
The announcement ends months of speculation surrounding the Raiders’ quarterback situation after the organization invested in Mendoza during the NFL Draft while also bringing in Cousins to stabilize the position.
Although Cousins is firmly in control of the starting job today, Kubiak stressed that every position on the roster must be earned.
“For every position, there’s got to be competition. The best player has to win,” Kubiak said. “That’s not just what I’m going to see. You guys are going to see it in preseason games. Across the board, there are battles everywhere on the roster.”
Still, Kubiak left no doubt about where things stand entering the first practice.
“Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback. He’s the guy,” Kubiak repeated. “I want Fernando to push him.”
Mendoza’s Development Remains a Priority
While Cousins takes command of the offense, Kubiak made it clear the organization remains fully invested in developing rookie Fernando Mendoza.
Rather than focusing strictly on completion percentage or statistics, Kubiak said the coaching staff will evaluate how Mendoza responds to adversity, corrects mistakes, and handles the demands of an NFL offense.
“It’s not just charting completions or interceptions,” Kubiak explained. “When he makes a mistake, does he make the same mistake twice? How quickly can he correct himself? What’s his attitude? What’s his demeanor? Those are really important things for quarterbacks.”
Kubiak also praised Mendoza’s preparation throughout the evaluation process before the draft.
“I would say during the evaluation process he stood head and shoulders above others I’ve been around in terms of preparation,” Kubiak said. “That doesn’t guarantee you anything on Sundays, but it gives him a great chance.”
Cousins Providing More Than Experience
Beyond his production on the field, Kubiak praised Cousins’ leadership inside the quarterback room.
“I would say his value as a player on our team is the most important thing,” Kubiak said. “His leadership, his veteran presence, and the way that he played in the spring was excellent.”
Kubiak added that while Cousins naturally serves as a mentor for Mendoza, his primary responsibility is still winning football games.
“We brought him here to play really good football. Obviously the mentorship is a byproduct because that’s the kind of guy Kirk is.”
Competition Will Continue Across the Roster
Although the quarterback situation appears settled for now, Kubiak repeatedly emphasized that no position will be handed to anyone throughout training camp.
He pointed to open competitions along the offensive line, at wide receiver, and on special teams, saying consistency, versatility, and making teammates better will ultimately determine who earns starting roles.
“The best athlete isn’t always the guy who’s going to win the job,” Kubiak said. “It’s the guy who plays the best with the people around him.”
Training Camp Begins
The Raiders will hold their first practice Wednesday as Kubiak begins his first training camp as an NFL head coach.
The biggest storyline entering camp may have finally been answered with Cousins officially named the starter, but the development of Mendoza will remain one of the most closely watched storylines throughout the summer.
For now, the Raiders have clarity at quarterback.
Kirk Cousins will lead the first-team offense, while Fernando Mendoza begins what the organization hopes will be a steady climb toward becoming the franchise’s quarterback of the future.
