Klint Kubiak isn’t handing Kirk Cousins the QB1 job just yet, keeping the Las Vegas Raiders‘ Week 1 quarterback competition alive while Fernando Mendoza remains in the mix.
Kubiak still isn’t ready to hand Cousins the Week 1 starting job. Speaking after Thursday’s preseason game against the Houston Texans, a game Cousins didn’t play in, Kubiak said the competition remains open. “We got another week. I don’t want anyone to be comfortable in their job,” he told reporters.
Kubiak also addressed Mendoza’s performance, saying he has “plenty to clean up” and “plenty to get better at,” while acknowledging the coaching staff has work to do too.
What’s going on with Kirk Cousins?
For the Raiders, who invested significant cap space to acquire Cousins, this situation is noteworthy. Although Cousins was signed as the expected bridge quarterback, the decision to bench him for a preseason game while not officially naming him the starter sends a confusing message.
Either Kubiak is simply protecting a veteran from preseason injury risk, or there’s genuine uncertainty about who gives Las Vegas the best chance to win in September. Either way, it puts pressure on the front office’s quarterback plan.
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If Mendoza is pushing Cousins this hard as a rookie, it raises questions. How was roster construction handled? How were camp reps distributed? Why hasn’t the coaching staff locked down a position that’s supposed to be settled? It also affects everything downstream. Offensive line protection calls, playcalling installs, and how much of the offense gets built around one quarterback all hinge on this. Until a starter is locked in, expect the offense to stay vanilla.
Given the cap and roster investment already made in Cousins, expect him to still open the season as the starter. But don’t be surprised if Kubiak keeps the “competition” language alive right up until cutdown day. It protects his leverage and keeps both quarterbacks accountable.
Do you think this is genuine competition, or is it standard-issue coach speak to keep Cousins motivated?
*Top Photo: David Becker/Getty Images