All articles tagged with #kirk cousins
The Raiders plan to develop first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza behind veteran Kirk Cousins, giving him time to learn the NFL and adjust to speed, with the possibility of an earlier-than-expected start if the season falters and coach Klint Kubiak keeps competition alive.
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak again declined to name a Week 1 starter between Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins, saying Mendoza’s development will hinge on more reps and coaching time, after Mendoza’s Week 2 preseason showing (8-of-15, 86 yards, an interception) and with Cousins likely to start the season.
Kirk Cousins retains the edge over rookie Fernando Mendoza in the Raiders’ quarterback competition, with coach Klint Kubiak noting it’s Cousins’ job to lose. Cousins led first-team reps and delivered solid-but-not-perfect plays in camp and the preseason, while Mendoza showed flashes but struggled, keeping the veteran on track to start Week 1 versus the Dolphins as the competition continues into the final preseason game.
Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak again declined to name a regular-season starter between veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza, keeping the quarterback competition unresolved ahead of the preseason finale and a Sept. 13 opener vs. the Dolphins. Cousins has led camp so far, while Mendoza flashed in the preseason and is viewed as the long-term option to develop behind the veteran, a dynamic that has drawn scrutiny as the team balances development with winning now.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says Kirk Cousins is still slated to be the Raiders’ starter for the 2026 season, with Fernando Mendoza getting first-team reps to accelerate development. Mendoza’s progress could move his timeline up if he shines in preseason, but the current plan remains Cousins starting Week 1; upcoming preseason performances and a brutal October schedule will help determine when Mendoza might earn a regular-season role.
In his preseason debut, Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza went 10-of-16 for 97 yards, led a TD drive with a six-yard pass to Jack Bech, and closed with four straight completions in the red zone, but he admitted missed reads and called the night a learning experience while coach Klint Kubiak praised him as an ascending player. The Raiders still view the QB competition as collaborative with veteran Kirk Cousins, who remains the favorite to start Week 1, a dynamic Mendoza acknowledged while noting the NFL’s higher level, reinforced by Tom Brady addressing the team before the game.
In the Raiders' preseason, Kirk Cousins connected for a TD on five of six attempts and is seen by coach Klint Kubiak as having the job to lose for Week 1; rookie Fernando Mendoza showed flashes but still has development work to do, and while the organization envisions Mendoza as a future franchise QB, he’s unlikely to start in Week 1.
Raiders No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza delivered an impressive NFL preseason debut (100.3 passer rating, a TD, no turnovers) and drew Brady-comparison buzz, but Las Vegas plans to keep Kirk Cousins as the starter unless Mendoza makes a drastic leap; coach Klint Kubiak called him an ascending player and emphasized patient development rather than an immediate QB shift.
The Raiders plan to start Kirk Cousins while Fernando Mendoza develops, but multiple insiders say Mendoza has a genuine shot to win the Week 1 job. Reports from Vinny Bonsignore and Ian Rapoport note an open QB competition in camp, with Mendoza impressing in practice and the team reportedly willing to start him earlier if he proves ready.
Las Vegas plans to play starters in the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, giving rookie Fernando Mendoza a meaningful extended look behind Kirk Cousins as the Raiders distribute snaps across the first-, second-, and third-team units; Mendoza, listed behind Cousins on the depth chart, has shown potential in a recent scrimmage by throwing three TD passes, and this game will help gauge how close he is to starting while managing the veteran’s workload.
Maxx Crosby’s aggressive, “try-hard” practice approach led to a skirmish with Kirk Cousins during Raiders work, with both players held out for a team-rule violation and rookie Fernando Mendoza stepping in for first-team reps. Crosby’s long history of pushing the line—collegiate and pro—has yielded penalties and controversy, even as his work ethic fuels his production. The incident highlights the tension between his relentless energy and the discipline coaches want, prompting a recalibration for Las Vegas.
Raiders owner Mark Davis says Kirk Cousins looks like a pro and supports the team’s three-quarterback plan that includes rookie Fernando Mendoza and veteran Aidan O’Connell, after a practice incident that led to suspensions for Cousins and Maxx Crosby; Davis remains cautiously optimistic about the season, acknowledging past coaching hires but believing this year could be a turning point for Las Vegas.
During Aug. 7 practice, Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby and quarterback Kirk Cousins were held out of Aug. 8 practice after a scuffle; Crosby’s high‑energy style drew scrutiny from Sports Illustrated, which highlighted his penalties and the rule against touching the quarterback. The piece also cites Crosby’s leadership comments about teammate Fernando Mendoza and notes that both players eventually returned to practice.
Las Vegas Raiders QB Kirk Cousins and DE Maxx Crosby were suspended from team drills after a scuffle at practice, clearing the way for rookie Fernando Mendoza to run the starting offense in training camp. Head coach Klint Kubiak emphasized adherence to practice standards as the reason for the discipline. Cousins, 37, recently signed a two-year deal with the team, while Crosby had been linked to a trade with Baltimore that fell through due to medical concerns. The Raiders, coming off a 3-14 season, are under Kubiak’s leadership this camp.
The Las Vegas Raiders suspended pass rusher Maxx Crosby and quarterback Kirk Cousins from team drills following a practice altercation, with no immediate details on the incident or the disciplinary duration.