# Cousins Gets the Nod: Raiders Bench Top Pick Fernando Mendoza After Preseason Setbacks

**By Hank Morrow**  \nPublished September 17, 2026  \nUpdated September 17, 2026

> Following a challenging preseason where top draft pick Fernando Mendoza took heavy hits in his starting debut and threw a pick-six against Houston, the Las Vegas Raiders have named Kirk Cousins as QB1.

The Las Vegas Raiders have officially made their quarterback choice, naming veteran Kirk Cousins as their starter and placing 2026 first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza on the bench to open the regular season. The decision ends weeks of camp speculation regarding whether the franchise would immediately hand the reins to their prospective star or rely on veteran stability under center. In choosing Cousins, Las Vegas also breaks a long-standing operational streak while committing to a more deliberate path for their rookie quarterback.

Mendoza's push to secure the starting role lost momentum during the final stretch of August. In his starting debut, the top pick took a severe physical beating on the field as he adapted to live NFL defense. His final chance to cement the starting job slipped away during a difficult preseason appearance against a formidable Houston Texans defense, punctuated by a costly pick-six that demonstrated the volatility of his early transition to professional speed. After watching the rookie absorb heavy hits and miss his last opportunity to lock down QB1 status, team leadership elected to initiate the season with Cousins.

## From Draft History to Current Depth Chart

This quarterback crossroads connects directly to the franchise's recent draft history. Back in 2024, General Manager Tom Telesco intended to select a potential starter in the first round. However, six quarterbacks were taken within the first 12 picks before Las Vegas was on the board at spot 13, and attempts to execute a trade up failed to materialize. That sequence left the team staging an offseason battle between Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew.

When the Raiders finally secured Mendoza as the top selection in the 2026 draft, they also added Cousins to ensure immediate depth. Having a high-profile veteran available gave the coaching staff the flexibility to shield their rookie primary investment after a taxing August display.

## Roster Dynamics and Navigating the Opening Weeks

**Primary Operational Rhythm:** With Cousins managing the offense, Las Vegas gains a seasoned caller capable of executing the playbook with pre-snap clarity. His experience should stabilize ball distribution and minimize the game-changing turnovers, such as the pick-six against Houston, that derailed Mendoza's final preseason attempt.

**Decisive Matchup:** The physical durability of the pocket will dictate how smoothly Cousins operates. Keeping the veteran upright is paramount to maintaining offensive continuity while Mendoza continues his development from the sideline.

**Central Uncertainty:** Should the offense stall early or Cousins suffer an unexpected setback, public pressure will build rapidly for Mendoza. Any sudden shift in record or performance could force Las Vegas to reconsider their timeline and accelerate the rookie's development path ahead of schedule.

## Sources

- [apps.apple.com](https://apps.apple.com/de/app/ea-sports-fc-fu%C3%9Fball-mobile/id1094930513) — original
- [crunchtime-mag.de](https://crunchtime-mag.de/die-wichtigsten-fragen-nach-dem-nfl-draft-2024/) — original
- [n-tv.de](https://www.n-tv.de/sport/nfl/) — original