LAS VEGAS — Kirk Cousins will be the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting quarterback for Week 1 of the 2026 season, Head Coach Klint Kubiak announced Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, after practice, the team said in an official Raiders.com report.

“He played really good football,” Kubiak said. “I’m really happy with all three of our quarterbacks. Kirk’s had a really good offseason, very good camp and he’s earned it.”

Kubiak had declined to name a starter through training camp while Cousins competed with Aidan O’Connell and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. The Raiders open at Allegiant Stadium against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13.

What the Raiders put on the record

Raiders.com said Cousins is entering his 15th NFL season with 167 career starts, 44,700 passing yards, 298 passing touchdowns and 88 career wins. In two preseason appearances for Las Vegas, he completed 76.5% of his passes for 101 yards and a touchdown.

NFL.com, citing the team announcement, reported that Cousins got the nod over Mendoza and O’Connell and will be a Week 1 starter for a fourth franchise (previously Washington, the Minnesota Vikings and the Atlanta Falcons). When asked Wednesday whether there is any expectation for Mendoza to play this season, Kubiak said, “Let’s work to Miami first,” per NFL.com. The Raiders’ own write-up did not name a backup; NFL.com described Mendoza as the backup.

The Las Vegas Sun reported the same Kubiak decision Wednesday morning and noted Cousins was held out of the first post–training-camp practice as a planned veteran rest day, not an injury absence.

Why it matters now

Las Vegas finished 3-14 last season. Naming Cousins locks in a veteran under center for the Dolphins opener after a camp competition the coach refused to short-circuit. How long Cousins remains QB1 — and when Mendoza, the Heisman-winning Indiana product taken No. 1 overall, takes over — is now the season’s central quarterback question, not whether the Week 1 starter is decided.

Dated Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026: the Raiders have a Week 1 starter in writing. The depth chart behind him, and the handoff timeline, are still for Kubiak to spell out.

Sources