In a move that has been anticipated for some time, the Las Vegas Raiders have officially named veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins as their starter for the upcoming Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. This announcement was made by head coach Klint Kubiak on Wednesday morning, marking a significant moment for both Cousins and the franchise.
Cousins, who joined the Raiders on a one-year contract after a season with the Atlanta Falcons, will be making his first start for the team. The decision to start Cousins comes despite the Raiders selecting rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft earlier this year. Mendoza's much-anticipated debut will have to wait as the team opts for the experience of Cousins to lead them into the new season.
Last season, Cousins had a solid performance with the Falcons, finishing with a record of 5-3 as a starter. He threw for 1,721 yards, achieving 10 touchdowns against five interceptions. His experience in the league, now entering his 15th season at the age of 38, is seen as invaluable, especially for a rookie like Mendoza who is still adjusting to the professional level.
During training camp, Cousins was named the starting quarterback, and Kubiak expressed his confidence in him. However, throughout the preseason, Kubiak refrained from making any definitive statements about Cousins' status for the season opener. In the Raiders' final preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, Cousins played only two drives, which is typical for a veteran player in preparation for the regular season.
On the other hand, Mendoza has received a significant amount of playing time during the preseason, but his performance has raised some concerns. He struggled in his outings, notably throwing a pick-six in a game against the Houston Texans and another interception in the preseason finale against the 49ers. Mendoza completed 7 of 14 passes for 57 yards in that game, prompting Kubiak to suggest that he needs more time to develop before taking on a starting role.
Kubiak remarked, "[Mendoza] needs another three preseason games. All those rookies do, and now that the season's starting, the practice reps get smaller, and that's just life. But as coaches, we've got to get them ready to play, keep developing them." This indicates that while Mendoza is viewed as a promising talent, he may not yet be ready to step into the starting position.
Mendoza's journey to the NFL has been remarkable; he led the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated season and their first national championship, earning the Heisman Trophy in the process. His impressive college career, where he threw for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns with only six interceptions, made him a standout prospect in the draft.
While the Raiders are likely to transition to Mendoza as their future quarterback, the decision to start Cousins allows for a smoother introduction into the league for the rookie. This strategic choice also provides Kubiak, in his inaugural season as head coach, the opportunity to establish a stable environment as he aims to revitalize the franchise. Although it remains uncertain when Mendoza will get his chance to shine, the organization appears committed to his long-term development.
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