The Las Vegas Raiders have made a surprising quarterback decision ahead of the 2026 NFL season, choosing veteran Kirk Cousins over top draft pick Fernando Mendoza to start the season opener on September 13 against the Miami Dolphins, according to announcements by head coach Klint Kubiak. The choice breaks an eight-year NFL streak where a draft’s first overall selection started under center in Week 1.
The Decision to Bench a Number One Pick
According to reports from n-tv.de, the Raiders decided to keep rookie Fernando Mendoza on the bench for their season kickoff. Instead, 38-year-old veteran Kirk Cousins will take the field against Miami. Head coach Klint Kubiak told reporters that Cousins had “wirklich guten Football gespielt” (played really good football) in preparation and “es sich verdient” (earned it), while adding that he remains satisfied with all three quarterbacks on the roster.
This development marks a rare departure from recent NFL trends. The last time a quarterback selected at number one overall sat on the bench for Week 1 was back in 2018, when Baker Mayfield played for the Cleveland Browns, as detailed by n-tv.de.
Coaching Turnover and the Road to Las Vegas
The quarterback controversy unfolds against a backdrop of sweeping organizational changes in Las Vegas. The Raiders finished the previous campaign at the bottom of the AFC West with a disappointing three-win record, leading to the departure of head coach Pete Carroll. Klint Kubiak subsequently took over the helm.
The 39-year-old head coach arrived in Las Vegas after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks. Kubiak’s lineage runs deep in professional football; his father, Gary Kubiak, previously served as head coach for the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos. With Klint Kubiak’s appointment, the Raiders are now on their fifth head coach since 2021.
Mendoza’s Historic Collegiate Resume
Despite missing out on the immediate starting job, Fernando Mendoza arrives in the NFL with an extraordinary college resume. During the prior collegiate season, Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers through a flawless campaign that culminated in the first national championship in the university’s history, according to coverage from n-tv.de.
His stellar play earned him the prestigious Heisman Trophy as the nation’s top college player. Statistical records show Mendoza completed 273 of 379 passing attempts for 3,535 yards, throwing 41 touchdowns against just six interceptions. Additionally, he contributed on the ground with 276 rushing yards and seven more scores across 90 rushing attempts.
What Comes Next
With the starting quarterback role settled for the immediate future, the Raiders turn their full attention toward preparing for their Week 1 matchup. Las Vegas is scheduled to face the Miami Dolphins on September 13, where Kirk Cousins will lead the offense while Fernando Mendoza watches from the sideline as the team navigates its latest rebuilding phase under Kubiak.
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