[REVISION HISTORY]

Kirk Cousins named Raiders starter for 2026 season

Updated 19 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-04 21:57 UTC → 2026-09-05 15:50 UTC · added ~~removed~~

As the Las Vegas Raiders prepare for the 2026 NFL season, head coach Klint Kubiak has officially named veteran Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback for the season opener against the Miami Dolphins on September 13. The decision follows a preseason competition between Cousins, rookie No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, and Aidan O’Connell. Cousins, entering his 15th season, signed a contract that includes $20 million in guaranteed money. Kubiak noted that Cousins earned the position through a strong offseason and training camp, citing his leadership and command of the offense. This move is intended to provide stability and mentorship to Mendoza—a former Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana—who will serve as the primary backup. Mendoza becomes the first No. 1 overall pick since Baker Mayfield in 2018 to not start his rookie season. Recent reports highlight Cousins’ performance during the preseason, where he completed 76.5 percent of his passes for 101 yards and one touchdown. Regarding other roster developments, running back Ashton Jeanty is expected to be available for Week 1 despite an ankle injury. However, rookie defensive end Keyron Crawford has been placed on injured reserve due to an Achilles injury. The organization also confirmed the selection of Mike Washington Jr. in the fourth round following advocacy from the coaching staff. As the team navigates a rebuilding phase following a 3-14 season, concerns have emerged regarding roster depth. While the starting linebacker tandem of Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker is considered strong, both players have significant histories of missed games due to injury. The performance of depth players such as Cody Lindenbergh, Tommy Eichenberg, and Segun Olubi during the preseason has been described as inconsistent, potentially leaving the defense vulnerable.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.