Kirk Cousins or Fernando Mendoza? Las Vegas Raiders surprisingly decline to name regular-season starting QB

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Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak is either playing some sort of mind game or he sincerely is torn about naming a starting quarterback to open the regular season.

That's the only way to view this after the coach on Thursday night (actually Friday morning) declined to say what everyone assumes — that Kirk Cousins is the Las Vegas starter to open the season against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13.

"You know, we got another week playing," Kubiak told reporters after his team's preseason game against the Houston Texans. "I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job.

"It should always be that way from all positions. So, you know, we'll just keep going forward."

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins warms up during practice at the team's NFL training camp Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Henderson, Nev. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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The Raiders are heading toward their preseason finale next Thursday without naming a starting quarterback for the regular season. Kubiak apparently wants to keep Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza guessing about their status on the depth chart.

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And the entire rest of the Earth is thinking, "Really, coach?"

Just last week, Kubiak made it seem like Cousins was the leader in the proverbial clubhouse for the starting job.

"I think he's had a solid training camp and it's his