Raiders Likely to Hand Starting Job to Cousins, Insiders Say
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that league-wide consensus expects the Las Vegas Raiders to eventually name Kirk Cousins as their starting quarterback over rookie Fernando Mendoza. The move could come before Sunday's roster cutdown deadline. Mendoza's struggles in Thursday's preseason finale against the 49ers have fueled the speculation.
League insiders, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, widely expect the Raiders to pivot to veteran Kirk Cousins as their QB1, with a decision potentially arriving before Sunday’s 6 p.m. ET roster cutdown. The speculation intensified after rookie Fernando Mendoza’s shaky outing in Thursday’s preseason finale against San Francisco. Fowler noted that conversations both inside the Las Vegas building and around the NFL point to Cousins eventually taking the reins, though no official announcement has been made. The team’s quarterback competition has been a focal point of camp, and Mendoza’s recent struggles appear to have tipped the balance toward the experienced signal-caller.
This quarterback decision could ripple through the Raiders’ fan base and fantasy football communities, shaping expectations for the season’s opening weeks. A Cousins start may stabilize the offense but could also limit Mendoza’s development, affecting long-term roster planning. For casual viewers, the choice influences team narratives and betting lines, while insiders watch how the front office balances immediate competitiveness against future potential. The outcome may also set a precedent for how other franchises handle rookie-versus-veteran battles.