How to watch Raiders vs Cardinals in the USA

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Arizona Cardinals will be available to watch on FOX5 Vegas in the Las Vegas market, while fans can also stream the game through NFL+, ESPN Unlimited and Fubo.

Can I watch Raiders vs Cardinals for free?

Yes, eligible viewers can use Fubo‘s 5-day free trial to watch Raiders vs. Cardinals without paying during the trial period. It currently promotes free-trial access for its live sports service and carries the NFL programming needed for the matchup.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Raiders arrive at Allegiant Stadium with very different questions to answer, even though neither team is playing for a regular-season result yet.

Arizona is coming off a 33-30 loss to Carolina in the Hall of Fame Game, where rookie quarterback Carson Beck made an immediate impression by completing 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. That performance has added intrigue to a quarterback room that already includes veteran Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew.

Las Vegas has an even bigger storyline under center. The Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, but veteran Kirk Cousins remains the projected starter entering the season.

Recent training-camp reports indicate that Cousins continues to lead the competition, although Mendoza has already received opportunities with the first-team offense and impressed during camp. That makes the matchup against Arizona one of the first chances to see how the Raiders manage the balance between their veteran quarterback and their highly touted rookie.

There is also a coaching connection worth watching. Klint Kubiak is beginning his first season as Las Vegas’ head coach, while Mike LaFleur takes over in Arizona.

Both teams are therefore using the preseason to establish new offensive identities, but their circumstances are not identical: the Cardinals are trying to recover from a 3-14 season, while the Raiders are building around a new quarterback investment and a new coaching staff.

What time is the Raiders vs Cardinals match?

The game kicks off on Thursday, August 13, at 8:00 PM ET. Raiders vs. Cardinals will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the local kickoff scheduled for 5:00 PM PT.

• Eastern Time: 8:00 PM
• Central Time: 7:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 6:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 5:00 PM

“They’re all going to play,” LaFleur told reporters about how he plans to use the Cardinals’ starters in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL Preseason. “It’s not going to be much. It could be one drive or, maximum two for those main guys. That includes Jacoby [Brissett].”

Brissett didn’t play during Arizona’s last-second loss to Carolina in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. Thus, this will be the first time fans see the Cardinals’ starting quarterback heading into the 2026 NFL season.

Brissett agreed to a contract restructure during the offseason, which only adds to the pressure on him to perform in 2026. An NFL preseason game against the Raiders—in which Brissett will likely only play a drive or two—won’t have any impact, but it will be something to keep an eye on heading into the new campaign.

Who will be Cardinals’ starting QB vs Raiders?

Brissett will likely command the Cardinals’ huddle for the first drive or two of the preseason matchup against the Raiders. However, that will be all fans see from him. Going down Arizona’s depth chart, Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis will replace Brissett against Las Vegas.

Brissett is the No. 1 QB in town and is set to make $15.5 million this season, so the Cardinals will keep him out of harm’s way during the NFL preseason as much and as best as they can.

Why Carson Beck isn’t playing tonight for Cardinals

Most fans hoped to see Carson Beck in the preseason matchup against the Raiders, but the rookie has been ruled out with a rib injury. Beck sustained the setback during the Hall of Fame Game and practiced through soreness and pain all week.

Ultimately, though, Arizona made the wise choice by declaring Beck out. Thus, the second chapter of Beck’s NFL journey through the desert will have to wait. Moreover, there won’t be a rematch—even if only for a few minutes—of the 2026 National Championship Game between Fernando Mendoza and Carson Beck.

Fans want to see Carson Beck

It wasn’t the toughest competition or the biggest of stages, but rookie quarterback Beck made a great first impression during the Hall of Fame Game. The Cardinals’ third-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft showed composure and a needle-threading ability that fans in the desert haven’t seen from a quarterback in a while.

Well aware that Brissett is the starting QB heading into the season and that may be the wiser decision, the fanbase still wants to see Beck more. Everybody knows what Brissett brings to the table; they want to see what Beck can do and whether Arizona has landed its quarterback for the future in the 24-year-old rookie.

Brissett is the sure thing. Arizona knows the veteran can keep them at a constant level, but with few sparks. With Beck, however, anything can happen. As a rookie, he will surely be more irregular, but the peaks may be higher. Injuries may be something to keep an eye on, though, as Beck has missed key moments in his college career due to health issues and will miss an NFL game because of one, too.

Mendoza arrives in Las Vegas after an impressive college career with the Indiana Hoosiers, where he established himself as one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the country and helped lead Indiana to a national championship. Now, the former college star faces his first test at the NFL level.

The Raiders are not expected to immediately hand him the starting job. Kirk Cousins remains the veteran favorite to open the regular season as QB1, but Mendoza’s preseason opportunities will be crucial for his development. His first snaps against Arizona will give fans their first look at the quarterback who could become the face of the franchise.

Is Fernando Mendoza playing today for Raiders against Cardinals?

Yes. Fernando Mendoza is expected to play for the Raiders against the Cardinals in the 2026 NFL Preseason Week 1 matchup. The game will give Mendoza his first NFL snaps since being selected No. 1 overall.

While Cousins will be the starting quarterback when the regular season begins, Mendoza should receive an important opportunity to operate the offense and adjust to the speed of professional football.

For the rookie, this is about much more than simply getting preseason reps. The Raiders invested the top pick in the draft on Mendoza because they believe he can eventually become their franchise quarterback. His performance against Arizona will therefore be one of the first major checkpoints in his development.

Who will be the Raiders’ starting QB in the regular season?

Kirk Cousins is expected to begin the 2026 regular season as the Raiders’ starting quarterback. That does not diminish the importance of Mendoza’s preseason debut.

The rookie will have the opportunity to learn from Cousins while gradually taking on more responsibility, giving the Raiders a chance to develop their potential quarterback of the future without rushing him into the starting role. For Raiders fans, however, the most important part is that the wait is over: the No. 1 overall pick is finally getting his first NFL game action.

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.

Though both rookies faced off in the 2026 College Football National Championship Game, there may be more differences than similarities between Mendoza (22) and Beck (24). Most importantly, Mendoza is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That puts him in line for a ludicrous rookie contract that is planets away from Beck’s $7.4 million deal, as the latter was a third-round selection (65th overall) by the Cardinals.

As reported by Reuters, Mendoza is guaranteed a four-year, $57.2 million contract under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Still, while his earnings are virtually set in stone, he has yet to put pen to paper. The reason for the delay? Mendoza and the Raiders have yet to reach an agreement regarding the signing bonus.

Signing bonus dispute

According to CBS Sports, Mendoza and his camp are seeking a single lump-sum payment, which isn’t ideal from the Raiders’ point of view. The rookie quarterback isn’t interested in receiving smaller installments over time. Per Reuters, Mendoza is set for $38.1 million signing bonus.

For some time now, lump-sum bonuses have become the norm for the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL. Joe Burrow was paid the entirety of his signing bonus when he signed his rookie deal with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020, and every No. 1 pick since has followed the same path. The last first overall pick not to receive his signing bonus in a single lump sum was Kyler Murray in 2019 with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Raiders are used to paying signing bonuses in smaller installments and might not want to abandon that tradition. However, it’s also been a while since they selected first overall (2007, when they picked JaMarcus Russell). Times have changed, and this is the new norm, even if Raider Nation doesn’t love it.

Time’s running out

Beck and the Cardinals reached an agreement at the buzzer, and perhaps the Raiders will do the same with Mendoza. Arizona’s rookies reported to training camp on July 22, the same day Beck was signed to his rookie contract.

As for Las Vegas’ first-year players, they must report to the team facilities on July 23. Whether Mendoza will be signed by then remains uncertain. One thing is clear: if he doesn’t sign his contract, he can’t participate in training camp. And a rookie quarterback expected to start from Day 1 can’t afford such a start, no matter the college football pedigree he brings to the NFL.

“He was a lot of fun to watch,” Burrow said during a Heisman Trophy panel at Fanatics Fest. “I think the NIL era is interesting because teams like Indiana, who maybe couldn’t get the recruits 10 years ago, now can get the types of players where they can go and compete for championships.”

While the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback believes this type of evolution has helped programs with fewer resources emerge as contenders, he also emphasized that Mendoza’s talent was the key factor in ultimately winning the national championship.

“That creates a lot of parity throughout college football, and I think that’s good for the game,” Burrow also added. “There are a lot of downsides to it as well, but it was fun to see a team like Indiana go and make it happen. Obviously, Fernando was the main part of that.”

Mendoza’s great year at Indiana

During a legendary 2025 season with the Indiana Hoosiers, quarterback Fernando Mendoza delivered a historic campaign, throwing for 3,850 passing yards and 38 touchdowns to cap off a brilliant year and claim the prestigious Heisman Trophy. Mendoza led Indiana to a perfect, undefeated record, crowning their flawless season by winning the National Championship in a thrilling 27–21 victory in the final over the Miami Hurricanes.

Burrow’s Heisman experience

In 2019, Joe Burrow delivered one of the most dominant individual seasons in college football history while playing for the LSU Tigers, capping off his incredible performance by winning the Heisman Trophy in a landslide vote. Shortly after leading LSU to an undefeated National Championship victory, Burrow officially made the jump to the NFL when he was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft.

From College Football to the NFL

There are countless cases in which a player’s rookie year proves to be a defining moment. The leadership Fernando Mendoza brings with him could be crucial for the Las Vegas Raiders, and Burrow knows that this could help him succeed.

“The quarterback has the ball in their hands a lot,” Burrow said. “It’s a team game, but the quarterback drives that for us. He seems to be a great leader. He seems to be a great player, and I’m excited to see what he does in the NFL as well.”

“I don’t really want to talk about that, to be honest. It’s water under the bridge. It’s a long time ago,” Crosby said to the press. “I’m here and I want to be here and I’m excited to be here and I’ve got a lot of work to do. It’s water under the bridge.”

The knee has let the pass rusher down, but he feels fine and is in the final stage of his recovery. “I want to be out there and be part of the team. I just love what I do and I love playing football and I love being on the field.”

Details of the failed move to the Ravens

The proposed blockbuster trade between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens fell apart at the final hurdle after star pass rusher Maxx Crosby failed his medical examination. The blockbuster deal was agreed upon in early March 2026 and set to send the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end to Baltimore in exchange for an unprecedented haul of two first-round draft picks (in the 2026 and 2027 drafts).

However, during the screening process, the Ravens’ medical staff—along with independent specialists—raised serious flags regarding Crosby’s left knee. Specifically, they were uncomfortable with the long-term prognosis of his recovery from a meniscus repair surgery he underwent in January 2026 to fix a tear suffered during the previous season, as well as potential underlying wear-and-tear issues.

Unwilling to compromise their future draft capital on a long-term medical risk, Baltimore nixed the trade before the official start of the league year, sending Crosby back to the Raiders and pivoting instead to sign Trey Hendrickson in free agency.

Crosby prepares for what’s ahead

The Las Vegas Raiders are entering an exciting new era under newly appointed head coach Klint Kubiak, who has completely reshaped the team’s offensive identity for the 2026 season.

The front office made massive waves by signing 15-year veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a one-year, $20 million contract in free agency, before pairing him with rookie sensation and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, whom the Raiders selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

This revamped setup has already generated immense optimism within the building, particularly from franchise cornerstone Maxx Crosby, who gave his stamp of approval to the leadership change. “We have an extremely smart and great leader of men in Klint Kubiak,” Crosby said.

“Unlike the Patriots and the other teams on this list, the Las Vegas Raiders aren’t expected to be chasing the postseason in 2026,” Bleacher Report‘s insider wrote. “However, trading for Brown would still be logical for a couple of reasons.

“For one, Las Vegas will spend the next few seasons developing rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. While the Raiders have put some nice pieces in place for Mendoza, including Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers, and Tyler Linderbaum, they lack a No. 1 receiver.”

There is significant excitement in Las Vegas surrounding Mendoza and the vision of him becoming the franchise quarterback. Brown’s experience could provide the young QB with a lethal weapon, although his future destination remains uncertain for now.

How much could Brown help Fernando Mendoza?

The potential addition of AJ Brown would be a monumental boost for Fernando Mendoza’s transition and long-term development in the NFL. Coming off a spectacular 2025 college season where he dominated the national stage with 3,535 passing yards, a stunning 41 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions, Mendoza has proven he possesses the elite accuracy and decision-making required for the next level.

However, the Raiders’ current wide receiver room severely lacks proven star power and extensive starting experience, leaning heavily on young targets like Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, and Jalen Nailor. Aside from the reliable presence of tight end Brock Bowers, this receiving corps desperately needs a true, battle-tested alpha target who can consistently beat press coverage and command double teams.

Integrating an elite, physical wideout like AJ Brown would completely transform the offense, providing Mendoza with a premier safety valve on contested catches and a game-breaking deep threat to perfectly complement his collegiate efficiency.

Raiders’ 2026 receiving corps

Even with uncertainty surrounding who will be the QB1 starting in Week 1, Klint Kubiak currently has both Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza as his two primary signal-callers. Through the air, these are the names they will have at their disposal heading into the 2026 season to challenge opposing defenses.