On one side is Kirk Cousins, a proven veteran who signed a five-year, $172 million contract with Las Vegas. In reality, the deal functions as a one-year, fully guaranteed $20 million commitment with a club option covering two additional seasons at $80 million.

On the other side is Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and the quarterback many around the organization view as the future of the franchise. The expectation was that Cousins could help lead the transition while Mendoza develops at his own pace, but a strong season from the veteran could change those plans entirely.

Who will be Raiders’ starting quarterback in 2026 season?

Klint Kubiak still has not decided who will be the Raiders’ starting quarterback for the 2026 regular season. Following the preseason game against the Houston Texans, Kubiak made it clear that the competition remains open and that neither Cousins nor Mendoza should assume the job is theirs.

It’s a clear message from the head coach trying to keep the intensity. “We got another week. I don’t want anyone to be comfortable in their job. It should always be that way for all positions. So, let’s keep going.”

That is an intriguing stance with the regular season approaching. Cousins has the experience and the massive contract, while Mendoza represents the long-term investment at the most important position on the roster.

Kubiak’s decision to keep the competition alive could also be a sign that the Raiders are genuinely considering both possibilities rather than simply preparing Mendoza for a predetermined succession plan.

What’s Raiders’ QB depth chart?

The Raiders’ quarterback depth chart is expected to feature Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell. There appears to be little doubt that O’Connell has secured his place on the roster after delivering a strong performance in Houston.

His preseason showing gave the Raiders another reason to keep him around as an experienced option behind the top two quarterbacks. The only scenario that could change those plans would be a late trade interest from another team.

“I’ve got some scars from some hits in real games where helmets go into armpits and things, and it ruins your season,” Cousins said, via Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “So, I was just asking [Crosby] to just stay off the arm, and I had to remind the Texans as well.”

The fact that Cousins was wearing his non-contact red jersey seemed to be of little use in this case: “I might as well just take the red jersey off because you’re playing with, sometimes, an understood rule that if it’s not understood, then what are we doing?”

Preseason continues for Las Vegas

NRG Stadium will host the Las Vegas Raiders’ next preseason game, which will come against the Houston Texans. Klint Kubiak, who has several options at quarterback, revealed that he would like all of his QBs to see playing time.

“We’re going to put a plan together this week, and that’s something that we’re talking about as a coaching staff right now,” the head coach revealed to the press. “But really, whether it’s Aidan O’Connell, Kirk [Cousins], or Fernando [Mendoza], I would say all three of those guys deserve first-team reps. But we’ve got to go put a plan together on how we’re going to split them up.”

Cousins must avoid injuries

Ahead of the start of another NFL season, Kirk Cousins is 37 years old, meaning the veteran will need to take greater care of his body than ever to stay healthy and avoid injuries that could cost him his starting job. With Fernando Mendoza as his primary backup, Cousins cannot afford to leave anything to chance.

Cousins will have a strong offensive line ready to leave it all on the field to protect him. Players such as Kolton Miller, Spencer Burford, Tyler Linderbaum, Jackson Powers-Johnson, and DJ Glaze will be tasked with protecting their quarterback and limiting the number of hits he takes.

Raiders’ first challenges

In the midst of a rebuilding process under new head coach Kubiak, these are the first challenges the Raiders will face starting in Week 1 of the NFL season.

• Week 1, vs Miami Dolphins – September 13
• Week 2, at Los Angeles Chargers -September 20
• Week 3, at New Orleans Saints – September 27
• Week 4, vs Kansas City Chiefs – October 4
• Week 5, at New England Patriots – October 11

Cousins joined Las Vegas on a five-year, $172 million contract, a massive commitment that indicates the organization believes the veteran can lead the team in the short term. However, the Raiders also made a major investment in Mendoza, who became the No. 1 overall pick after starring for the Indiana Hoosiers and leading the program to a national championship.

That creates one of the most intriguing quarterback situations in the NFL. Cousins is the established veteran with years of experience, while Mendoza represents the future of the franchise.

Kirk Cousins sends clear message to Fernando Mendoza with Raiders

In an interview with Dan Graziano, Kirk Cousins acknowledged that the Raiders are in a strong situation because they have both an experienced quarterback and a highly touted rookie waiting behind him.

However, he’s not going to pass the torch easily. “I think the organization is positioned well having drafted Fernando. I’m gonna try to hold him off as long as I can, and we’ll see how it goes up ahead.”

The comment is an interesting admission from a veteran who understands that Mendoza was selected with the long-term future of the franchise in mind. Cousins knows the rookie will eventually get an opportunity, but he clearly does not intend to make that transition quickly.

Who will be the Raiders’ starting quarterback?

For now, Kirk Cousins remains the veteran with the clearest path to the starting job. His contract alone demonstrates how seriously Las Vegas view his role, while his experience gives the Raiders a proven option as they build a new era under head coach Klint Kubiak.

Mendoza, however, will have every opportunity to accelerate that timeline. His success at Indiana, where he helped deliver a national championship, created enormous expectations before he even entered the NFL.

The Raiders therefore have a fascinating situation: they can allow Cousins to lead the team while Mendoza develops behind him, or they could eventually turn the offense over to the rookie if he proves he is ready. Cousins’ message is clear. Mendoza may be the future, but the veteran quarterback plans to make him wait as long as he possibly can.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, head coach Klint Kubiak told reporters that both Cousins and Crosby are being held out of practice as punishment for violating team rules for the fight on Friday.

Kubiak is not letting his locker room go into disarray. You either behave, or will face consequences. Crosby, who was traded to the Ravens but ended up back on the Raiders after Baltimore backtracked, has had plenty of back-and-forth episodes with the Raiders front-office. For Cousins, it’s a weird, out-of-character behavior.

This could be way more costly for Cousins than for Crosby

Crosby is a solidified star and no edge on the roster comes close to his level. He is a certified baller and there is no way he is benched or loses snaps because of this. Also, it seems like he didn’t even start the fight.

For Cousins, he is competing with first overall pick Fernando Mendoza, and this is exactly what Mendoza could need to see snaps with the first team and prove he is the man for the job right from the get-go.

The QB battle is still Cousins’ to lose

This episode is one that could give Mendoza an opening, but not a definite indictment. Right now, Kirk Cousins is preferred as the Las Vegas Raiders’ Week 1 starter due to his system experience, while rookie No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is viewed as the long-term prospect with higher physical upside.

Depending on how the season goes, Kubiak might roll with Cousins the whole year. If it goes bad, he could give Mendoza his first few games in the NFL. Hence, it all depends on Cousins. If he delivers wins, he’ll stay as the starter.

According to a report by Ryan McFadden, the confrontation came during a team period after Crosby hit Cousins twice. The second hit, which landed on Cousins’ arm, pushed the veteran quarterback to respond.

“Defensive end Maxx Crosby hit quarterback Kirk Cousins twice during the team period. And when Crosby hit Cousins’ arm a second time, the 15-year veteran had had enough. Cousins got into Crosby’s face, grabbing the All-Pro’s jersey, while both exchanged words before it was broken up.”

Why did Kirk Cousins and Maxx Crosby fight?

The fight was a consequence of intensity during training camp and the incident is particularly notable because Kirk Cousins and Maxx Crosby are expected to be two of the most important leaders on the Las Vegas Raiders this season.

Cousins signed with Las Vegas as the favorite to become the team’s starting quarterback and is also expected to play a significant mentorship role for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Meanwhile, Crosby remains the centerpiece of the Raiders’ defense. The All-Pro defensive end was at the center of a major trade saga involving the Baltimore Ravens before ultimately remaining in Las Vegas. With both players carrying significant responsibilities, their confrontation immediately became one of the biggest talking points at training camp.

Klint Kubiak reacts to Raiders training camp incident

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak acknowledged the intensity of the exchange but emphasized that both veterans need to understand the line between competitive football and losing control. “Those are two leaders on our team going at it. Obviously, fighting in a game or you throw a punch in a game, you are out of the game. So, we got to be smart.”

The incident may ultimately prove to be nothing more than a heated training camp moment between two competitive veterans. Still, it highlights the intensity inside a Raiders team that is trying to establish a new identity in 2026.

For the Raiders and Kubiak’s coach staff, the priority will be making sure that competitiveness becomes an advantage rather than a distraction as the regular season approaches.

The Raiders finished the 2025 NFL season with the worst record among all 32 teams. That granted the AFC West franchise the #1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which they used to select Indiana national champion quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

However, the Raiders had previously signed Cousins in free agency, setting up an intriguing quarterback dynamic. Heading into camp, Kubiak designated the 15-year veteran as QB1 on the initial depth chart.

“When we go out to practice tomorrow, Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback,” Kubiak told reporters on Tuesday. “He’s the guy, and he deserves it because he’s played really good football.”

Will Kirk Cousins start Week 1?

While Kirk Cousins will open training camp at the top of the depth chart, that does not mean he has guaranteed the Week 1 starting job when the Raiders host the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium.

Kubiak believes Cousins’ vast veteran experience is crucial for establishing offensive leadership. Standard NFL philosophy often favors starting a seasoned veteran early to absorb pressure and avoid rushing a high-profile rookie before he is fully acclimated.

The head coach emphasized that while Cousins leads off training camp, he wants both Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell pushing him daily to foster a healthy, competitive quarterback room where everyone earns their reps.

A testing road ahead in 2026

The Raiders kick off their 2026 campaign at home against the Miami Dolphins. While Las Vegas has a strong opportunity to open with a win, the schedule grows significantly tougher from that point forward.

Before their Week 13 bye, the Raiders face seven teams that finished above .500 in 2025—a grueling stretch that includes a matchup against Kubiak’s former team, the reigning Super Bowl champions: the Seattle Seahawks.

“Yeah, he’s a professional. He’s played a lot of football. He’s a leader that we’re counting on right now,” the head coach told reporters on Wednesday. “You see that side of him when it gets competitive, that was fun to get that move the ball period and get guys off of scripts and see how they respond, and you see the fire come out, and that’s what I want from our guys.”

Klint Kubiak knows Kirk Cousins firsthand, and understands that his experience in the league could not only help the Las Vegas Raiders achieve strong results, but also help refine a young talent like Fernando Mendoza with an eye toward the future.

Kubiak and Cousins already know each other from Minnesota

When Kubiak took over the reins as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator in 2021, he and Kirk Cousins picked up right where the previous scheme left off, keeping that offense running like a well-oiled machine. Having already spent two years as the quarterback coach, he had a great connection with Captain Kirk, and it showed on the field.

Under his play-calling, Cousins put up some highly efficient numbers in that play-action-heavy system, throwing for over 4,200 yards, 33 touchdowns, and protecting the ball with just 7 interceptions. It was a smooth, high-execution partnership that not only kept the quarterback playing at an elite level but also helped fuel a massive 1,600-yard season for Justin Jefferson.

Fernando Mendoza awaits his moment

Even with a veteran like Kirk Cousins on the roster, the Raiders didn’t draft Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall just to let him sit on the bench forever. He is seen as the undisputed centerpiece of Las Vegas’ long-term future.

Coming off a historic, undefeated 16-0 season with the Indiana Hoosiers where he absolutely lit up college football—putting up a 72% completion rate, 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions alongside a Heisman Trophy—Mendoza has the elite pedigree of a true franchise quarterback.

Along with Cousins, the Raiders also have Aidan O’Connell and Fernando Mendoza on the depth chart, a player expected to play a key role in helping the offense reach its goals in 2026. The team is looking to bounce back from last season’s 3-14 record, their worst mark since 2006.

The draft also gave the Raiders a valuable opportunity heading into 2026 with Mendoza, especially with Klint Kubiak stepping in as head coach. It marks his first time in that role after previously working as an offensive coordinator, bringing a system that could reshape the team’s identity.

A stronger quarterback depth chart for 2026

With Cousins, O’Connell and Mendoza leading the quarterback room, and a head coach who understands offensive systems and quarterback play from his experience as a passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, the Raiders are expected to be more aggressive offensively in 2026.

Quarterbacks:

• Kirk Cousins
• Aidan O’Connell
• Fernando Mendoza

Cousins’ veteran presence could be one of the key factors in getting the offense off to a strong start early in the season. He has a proven ability to push the ball downfield and work with fast wide receivers. While he didn’t replicate his peak success with the Atlanta Falcons compared to his time with the Minnesota Vikings, this new chapter in Las Vegas could offer a different outcome.

“It starts with the coaching staff. I was really excited about being able to work with coaches I worked with before, in Klint Kubiak, Rick Dennison, (and) Andrew Janocko,” Cousins said on April 7 during his introductory press conference. “I had some of my best years playing with them, and coaching is a big deal in this league. So, getting around them excited me. And I think it’s a team that has a lot of young talent and that they’re building something special, and I want to be a part of that.”

Bowers spoke with Sam Warren of The Athletic and said it seems like Cousins has been with the Raiders “for years.” He also praised Cousins’ leadership and experience. “It’s definitely helpful to have that presence,” Bowers said. The Raiders as a whole have backed up Kirk Cousins since his arrival.

Cousins and new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak are familiar with each other. They worked together for three years (2019-2021) where Kubiak was Cousins’ WB coach and offensive coordinator. Cousins went to two Pro Bowls during that span.

Having Bowers happy is key for the Raiders

Brock Bowers has just two seasons under his belt but he is an integral part of the Raiders. His talent is other-worldly and despite his team not being successful, he has established himself as one of the best tight ends in the NFL.

Bowers has 1,874 yards in two seasons, alongside seven touchdowns. And, to make it more impressing, he achieved so while missing five games last year. He has earned Pro Bowl honors in both seasons.

The Raiders have an exciting young core

Mendoza is 99.9% guaranteed being a Raider. Hence, the skill positions are nice and young for the team. Mendoza at QB, backed up by Bowers at tight end and running back Ashton Jeanty in his second year make this a promising unit.

They also need to bring a new wideout. It wouldn’t surprise to see them get a good wide receiver at pick number 36 in the 2026 NFL Draft. They still have young wideouts like Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech. They also brought in Jalen Nailor. Those are wideouts with potential, but they aren’t established superstars.

When the Raiders confirmed Cousins was joining the team, many wondered what his specific role would be. With Las Vegas widely expected to select Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the veteran could potentially begin the season as QB2.

While Mendoza is not yet on the roster, his selection feels inevitable. Nevertheless, the Raiders believe Cousins will provide invaluable leadership and stability, even if he doesn’t ultimately serve as the long-term starter.

“There’s an understanding of Klint’s offense that I think will help Aidan [O’Connell] and any other quarterbacks that join the group,” general manager John Spytek. “He’s won, he’s hard working, he’s detailed, he’s smart, he’s been a great teammate places he’s been. … Just anytime you have a veteran quarterback in a room that’s played at a high level that you believe can still play well and play at a high level, I think that helps everybody — especially the coaching staff will sleep a little better at night.”

A fierce QB competition

Kirk Cousins is well aware that his job as QB1 is not guaranteed, even suggesting that the battle for the starting job against Fernando Mendoza has already begun. While the veteran is ready for the challenge, he also understands his role as a mentor to the former Indiana standout.

While Cousins could end up as the backup, he remains a fierce competitor. During his time with the Falcons, Atlanta drafted Michael Penix Jr., yet Cousins secured the starting role for the beginning of that campaign.

The Raiders may follow a similar blueprint, using Cousins to provide Mendoza with the time and space needed to adapt to the NFL. This strategy would ensure a smoother transition as Mendoza develops into the franchise legend the team envisions.

Can the Raiders pass on Fernando Mendoza?

It would be a shock to the entire league if the Raiders passed on Mendoza at No. 1 overall. The team is desperate for a quarterback to lead them back to success, and developing the reigning Heisman winner is seen as the clearest path forward.

In recent days, the Raiders confirmed that several teams have inquired about trading for the top pick. However, Las Vegas remains committed to holding the selection and ushering in the Mendoza era.

A compelling narrative is unfolding in Las Vegas. When Cousins signed with the Raiders earlier this month, many questioned whether the team would still target Mendoza with the top pick. However, the organization’s plan has become clear: they intend to foster a competitive environment between the seasoned veteran and the rookie phenom.

Upon his arrival, Cousins thanked the Raiders organization for their belief in him, as he is excited to wear their uniform. He has also openly acknowledged that a competition with Mendoza is on the horizon, stating that “the best player needs to play” and expressing his excitement to lead and mentor the next generation of talent.

“I honestly don’t want to start unless I’m the best option, and I told Klint that,” Cousins said on Good Morning Football. “The best player should play. As long as that’s the case, I have no qualms about however it plays out. I do think Fernando is going to be a great addition to our team. I think he’s going to have a great future in our league. I have no problem being a voice in the room to help him to the degree I can.

“He’s going to have great support around him with the coaching staff, but to be able to watch a veteran quarterback go through his habits and routines and process, that can be a great asset for him. He was here yesterday on his draft day visit. We were able to watch film together. I think he’ll be a great addition to the room.”

Could the Raiders pass on Fernando Mendoza?

Barring an extraordinary turn of events, it is highly unlikely the Raiders will pass on Mendoza. The franchise is desperate for a long-term solution at quarterback, and the former Indiana standout—who recently led the Hoosiers to a national championship—is widely viewed as the “missing piece” for the Silver and Black.

Holding the No. 1 overall pick gives Las Vegas total control over the draft board. While other quarterback-needy teams are undoubtedly interested in a prospect of Mendoza’s caliber, the Raiders are firmly in the driver’s seat to secure his services on April 23.

While some analysts have suggested that the Raiders could trade down to acquire a massive “haul” of picks—potentially targeting Alabama’s Ty Simpson later in the first round—the consensus among league insiders is that they will stay put.

The Raiders hold all the leverage; they can choose to draft Mendoza and pair him with Cousins, ensuring they have both a “Week 1 ready” veteran and a superstar prospect to lead the franchise into the future.