The Las Vegas Raiders are going with experience at QB1.
Veteran Kirk Cousins enters training camp this week as the team’s starting quarterback, head coach Klint Kubiak told reporters on Tuesday.
Cousins, 37, gets the nod over 2026 first-overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza, who led Indiana to the NCAA championship last season and captured the Heisman Trophy.
“When we go out to practice (on Wednesday), Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback,” Kubiak said, per ESPN. “He’s the guy, and he deserves it because he’s played really good football. But I want Fernando and Aidan (O’Connell) to push him.”
Cousins is entering his 15th year in the league, previously playing for the Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons. He is a four-time Pro Bowler.
Cousins signed with the Raiders in April.
The Falcons signed him to a four-year, $180-million deal in 2024 only to draft Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick just six weeks later.
Cousins went 12-10 in starting 22 of 34 games. His 16 interceptions in 2024 led the league despite playing in just 14 games. The Falcons released him heading into free agency.
He is 88-77-2 as a starter with Washington, Minnesota and Atlanta.