Raiders coach confirms Kirk Cousins as starting quarterback over Mendoza
14 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Aug 3, 2026, 5:23 AM
Last updated Aug 3, 2026
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak announced that Kirk Cousins will be the starting quarterback for training camp. Cousins, signed to a two-year contract earlier this year, has been described as deserving of the starting role due to his past performance. Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 pick in the April draft, is expected to develop in a backup role as the team eases him into play. Kubiak emphasized the importance of how Mendoza transitions into his future role, highlighting the competition among quarterbacks during training camp.
- •Kirk Cousins confirmed as starting quarterback for training camp
- •Fernando Mendoza to push for starting position
- •Mendoza was the No. 1 pick in April's NFL Draft
- •Cousins signed a two-year contract this offseason
- •Kubiak's challenge includes developing Mendoza's role
- 5:23 AMYahoo Sports — Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza Draws Major Training Camp Update
- 11:44 PMYahoo Sports — A fired-up Kirk Cousins digs in as Raiders starter while Fernando Mendoza surges in camp
- 7:46 PMESPN NFL — Mendoza fine opening as QB2 behind Cousins
- 5:37 PMYahoo Sports — Fernando Mendoza embracing current "following role" with Raiders
- 2:02 AMYahoo Sports — ‘It’s Doing Nothing’: Analyst Disagrees With Klint Kubiak’s Decision to Pick Kirk Cousins As QB1 Over Fernando Mendoza
- 11:01 PMYahoo Sports — Kubiak opens Raiders camp with Cousins atop QB depth chart and Mendoza pushed to compete
- 10:02 PMYahoo Sports — Kirk Cousins, not Fernando Mendoza, will be QB1 to start Raiders training camp
- 9:03 PMESPN — QB Cousins gets nod over Mendoza to open camp
"As Klint Kubiak oversees his first training camp as a head coach, he is faced with the daunting task of figuring out how to juggle going with Kirk Cousins as the Raiders' starting quarterback — for now — while getting the most out of overall No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza. Kubiak made clear Tuesday that when Las Vegas takes the field early Wednesday for its first training camp practice that Cousins will run the first-team offense.
"Fernando Mendoza eventually taking over as the Raiders' starting quarterback seems inevitable, so much so that the only question is a matter of when it occurs. Kirk Cousins doesn't appear to be in any terrible hurry to hand the position to him, exhibiting the emotions and precision of someone ready to secure the spot entering Las Vegas' season. "I think in this league, it’s kind of one day at a time," Cousins said.
"The Las Vegas Raiders named Kirk Cousins QB1 at the start of training camp. Moreover, the Raiders are likely using that approach to reduce the pressure on Fernando Mendoza and give the No. 1 pick time to develop as he learns head coach Klint Kubiak’s offense.Mendoza can learn from the sidelines and behind the scenes, […] The post Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza Draws Major Training Camp Update appeared first on HEAVY.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 3, 2026, 5:23 AMRaiders’ Fernando Mendoza Draws Major Training Camp Update
The Las Vegas Raiders named Kirk Cousins QB1 at the start of training camp. Moreover, the Raiders are likely using that approach to reduce the pressure on Fernando Mendoza and give the No. 1 pick time to develop as he learns head coach Klint Kubiak’s offense.Mendoza can learn from the sidelines and behind the scenes, […] The post Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza Draws Major Training Camp Update appeared first on HEAVY.
- Yahoo SportsJul 31, 2026, 11:44 PMA fired-up Kirk Cousins digs in as Raiders starter while Fernando Mendoza surges in camp
Fernando Mendoza eventually taking over as the Raiders' starting quarterback seems inevitable, so much so that the only question is a matter of when it occurs. Kirk Cousins doesn't appear to be in any terrible hurry to hand the position to him, exhibiting the emotions and precision of someone ready to secure the spot entering Las Vegas' season. "I think in this league, it’s kind of one day at a time," Cousins said.
- ESPN NFLJul 30, 2026, 7:46 PMMendoza fine opening as QB2 behind Cousins
Fernando Mendoza said he is fine with being patient and playing behind Kirk Cousins, who was named the Raiders' starting QB to begin training camp.
- Yahoo SportsJul 30, 2026, 5:37 PMFernando Mendoza embracing current "following role" with Raiders
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak made it clear that Kirk Cousins is the team's starting quarterback entering training camp, with rookie signal-caller Fernando Mendoza part of the group that will push the veteran.
- Yahoo SportsJul 30, 2026, 2:02 AM‘It’s Doing Nothing’: Analyst Disagrees With Klint Kubiak’s Decision to Pick Kirk Cousins As QB1 Over Fernando Mendoza
The Las Vegas Raiders kickstarted their training camp journey on Wednesday with the no. 1 pick from the 2026 NFL draft, Fernando Mendoza in his rookie season.
- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 11:01 PMKubiak opens Raiders camp with Cousins atop QB depth chart and Mendoza pushed to compete
As Klint Kubiak oversees his first training camp as a head coach, he is faced with the daunting task of figuring out how to juggle going with Kirk Cousins as the Raiders' starting quarterback — for now — while getting the most out of overall No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza. Kubiak made clear Tuesday that when Las Vegas takes the field early Wednesday for its first training camp practice that Cousins will run the first-team offense.
- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 10:02 PMKirk Cousins, not Fernando Mendoza, will be QB1 to start Raiders training camp
Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said veteran Kirk Cousins will be the starter over Fernando Mendoza as training camp begins.
- ESPNJul 28, 2026, 9:03 PMQB Cousins gets nod over Mendoza to open camp
Klint Kubiak said veteran QB Kirk Cousins will open training camp as the Raiders' starter, in front of No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza.
- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 8:23 PMRaiders, Klint Kubiak make starting quarterback decision
Veteran Kirk Cousins or rookie Fernando Mendoza?
- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 8:01 PMKlint Kubiak: Kirk Cousins is the starting QB, Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell should push him
The Raiders signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to be their starter, and that’s exactly how he’s set to enter training camp.
- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 7:11 PMRaiders coach Klint Kubiak: Kirk Cousins is 'the starting quarterback' over No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza
How Mendoza develops and is placed into the starting position will be the most important challenge for Kubiak as a rookie head coach.
- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 7:11 PMRaiders coach Klint Kubiak: Kirk Cousins is 'our starting quarterback' over No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza
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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