Raiders' Klint Kubiak hints at stunning Fernando Mendoza decision if Kirk Cousins is named QB1

Aug 29, 2026

While first-year Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak declined to name veteran Kirk Cousins the team's starting quarterback over rookie Fernando Mendoza following the club's preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers, it's believed Cousins locked the job down on Thursday night.

While speaking with reporters on Friday morning (local time), Kubiak seemed to say plenty about his depth chart without confirming that Cousins will get the start for the Raiders' Week 1 home game against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13.

Raiders Camp Takeaways: Fernando Mendoza Is Checking Every Box

Klint Kubiak sees this quarterback "leading the offense"

According to Raiders reporter Sam Warren of The Athletic, Kubiak acknowledged that he sees Cousins as a guy who's "leading the offense."

Kubiak's admission is hardly shocking, as he said after the Raiders' preseason opener that the job was Cousins' "to lose." After Kubiak made that comment, Mendoza produced two lackluster preseason performances.

While at the Houston Texans on Aug. 20, Mendoza completed 8-of-15 passes for 86 yards and an interception that was returned for a touchdown. Against the 49ers, he went 7-of-14 passing for 57 yards with an interception and two sacks taken.

As ESPN's Ryan McFadden shared, however, Kubiak still wouldn't confirm the order of his depth chart that will feature Cousins, Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell. A June report revealed that the Raiders could be open to having Mendoza begin his rookie season as the club's QB3.

"It's going to be some hard decisions on who's [QB1], who's [QB2], and that's not a decision that we have to make today. But those are discussions that are ongoing," Kubiak added.

How Fernando Mendoza hopes to become "ruthlessly efficient"

Per Case Keefer of the Las Vegas Sun, Mendoza said after Thursday's game that Cousins looked "ruthlessly efficient" against the Niners. According to Warren, Kubiak emphasized Cousins' "ability to communicate pre-snap [and] then adjust post-snap" during Friday's videoconference.

"There's just so many things that have nothing to do with throwing a tight spiral or an accurate football that goes with being efficient," Kubiak explained. "That's what the best quarterbacks do. That's what they are, and thats something that a young QB like Fernando will keep getting better at with reps."

Mendoza will almost certainly be taking those reps as a QB2 or a QB3 next week.

By Barry Hunter on August 28, 2026 The National Football League launched the official international series in 2007, and it’s continued to grow over the years. At the start of this season, the NFL will play its first international regular-season game opener as Sydney, Australia, will host the San Francisco 49ers vs. the Los Angeles Rams. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan had his own opinions on the league’s new agenda, as he doesn’t think his team benefits from opening the season in Australia. “I was so fired up. That was our goal, to go 19 hours away to play a game,” Shanahan said, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. “I think we’re going back in time or into the future. I think we gain a day or lose a day — I’m not sure which one yet. He added, “But it is what it is. We’ll deal with it. I think there’s eight international games. We got two of them, so I’m fired up about that.” Shanahan revisited the matter after Thursday night’s preseason game vs the Las Vegas Raiders. “I wish we played them here, for what we usually look at as a home game, but we’ll see how it is in Australia, we’ll play the Rams wherever. Going there, it is what it is, but it’s going to be a fun atmosphere, and always when we play the Rams it’s a big, tough game, so looking forward to it,” Shanahan said. Fans aren’t thrilled either Fans disagree with the NFL’s new schedule updates and posted on social media with their grievances. People were interested in these podcasts “Goodell and NFL= massively stupid Hey but player safety and stuff!” one fan posted on X. “PLAYERS COACHES FANS ALL HATE THE OVERSEAS GAMES,” another fan wrote. “I’m in Australia. I’m a 49ers fan. I am not surprised by the total lack of enthusiasm from both teams but the 49ers sure are banging that drum loud,” someone else added. San Francisco is scheduled to open the campaign against the Rams in Sydney on September 10th.