Raiders Choose Veteran Cousins to Open Season; Top Pick Mendoza Begins on Bench

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak announced Wednesday that Kirk Cousins will start at quarterback for the team's Week 1 game against the Miami Dolphins, with rookie Fernando Mendoza serving as backup. Kubiak said he consulted minority owner Tom Brady multiple times weekly before making the decision. The move ends a streak of six straight No. 1 overall picks starting on opening day, but the team plans to develop Mendoza through extra work and meetings.

The contract structure reflects a deliberate bridge approach: Cousins' reported five-year, $172 million deal is effectively a one-year, fully guaranteed $20 million commitment. Kubiak outlined Mendoza's development plan, which includes early and late field work, extra meetings, and time between drills with quarterbacks coaches Mike Sullivan and Andrew Janocko, plus look-team reps during practice.

Aidan O'Connell remains a fourth-year insurance option behind Cousins. The Raiders, projected outside playoff contention in a deep AFC, may eventually insert Mendoza during the season for experience. The decision breaks a six-year streak of No. 1 overall picks starting Week 1, signaling a patient approach to the rookie's transition rather than an immediate handover.