The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to go with Kirk Cousins as their Week 1 quarterback, but coach Klint Kubiak is stubbornly refusing to say so.
Kubiak refused to name a quarterback after Thursday’s 22-20 preseason win over the Houston Texans, and once again chose not to on Friday. The reason, according to the first-year head coach, is that he wants those involved in the quarterback competition to have “a little bit of uneasiness.”
Klint Kubiak refused again to name a starting quarterback for Week 1.
— Sam Warren (@samwarren83) August 21, 2026
"I just don't think it ever benefits a player to know that they have a spot secured, and if there's always a little bit of uneasiness about that, that benefits the whole team, the player and the team."
On one hand, Kubiak may be leaving the door open to pulling a surprise and naming rookie Fernando Mendoza his starter. More likely, however, Kubiak is telling the truth and wants to keep everyone on their toes.
Mendoza was behind Cousins on the initial Raiders’ depth chart, and there is no reason to believe that has changed. He also struggled in his first preseason start. He will start for the Raiders eventually, but there is no reason to believe he is there yet.
Cousins got a two-year deal to serve as a bridge quarterback for the team. The expectation remains that he will be named the Week 1 starter at some point in the near future.
