As the 2026 NFL season approaches, the Las Vegas Raiders have officially named veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins as their starter. This decision, made on September 2, means that first-round draft pick Fernando Mendoza will take a backseat as he continues to learn the intricacies of professional football.
Last season, Cousins played for the Atlanta Falcons, where he participated in 302 passing snaps, achieving a Pro Football Focus passing grade of 75.0. During that time, he threw for 1,721 yards, completing 10 touchdown passes against five interceptions. Cousins also recorded nine big-time throws, showcasing his ability to make impactful plays, despite five turnover-worthy plays that highlighted some struggles.
ESPN NFL analyst Booger McFarland has weighed in on the Raiders' decision, expressing confidence that Cousins will maintain the starting role for a significant portion of the season. On the September 2 episode of "NFL Live," McFarland stated, "Cousins should be the starter. I think anytime that Tom Brady comes out and says how he likes to develop a quarterback, and we know what his imprint is on this organization, that’s what they’re going to do. I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see Fernando Mendoza until the bye week."
McFarland emphasized the importance of allowing Mendoza to develop at a comfortable pace, noting that the rookie quarterback only had limited experience under center during his college career. With the Raiders' bye week not occurring until Week 13, Mendoza will have ample time to adjust to the demands of playing quarterback in the NFL.
"It would be foolish of us to think that he’s mastered that in four or five months," McFarland added. He believes that Cousins will hold onto the starting position barring any injuries, allowing Mendoza to grow and learn the game from the sidelines. The Raiders are clearly focused on long-term development, with an eye on the future beyond the 2026 season.
While Mendoza is set to learn, the Raiders have made strategic moves this offseason to bolster their offensive line and run game, which will benefit the young quarterback when he eventually takes the field. ESPN analyst Louis Riddick praised the Raiders' efforts, particularly the signing of Tyler Linderbaum, who will play a crucial role in commanding the offensive line. Riddick noted, "I think the best friend to a young quarterback is a strong run game, and that starts up front on the offensive line. That’s why the signing of Tyler Linderbaum was so critical to them."
Riddick also highlighted the importance of establishing a solid ground game to support the passing attack, drawing parallels to the success of the Seattle Seahawks under coach Kliff Kingsbury, where a strong run game significantly aided quarterback Sam Darnold. He pointed out that a robust running game can open up play-action opportunities, creating favorable throwing windows for quarterbacks of all experience levels.
As the Raiders prepare for the upcoming season, the focus will be on how Cousins leads the team while providing a nurturing environment for Mendoza's development. With a solid foundation in place, the Raiders are positioning themselves for both immediate success and future potential.
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