Raiders Name Kirk Cousins QB1

Kirk Cousins has officially been named the Raiders starting quarterback entering the 2026 season.

Head coach Klint Kubiak spoke on the decision to name Cousins QB1, saying: “He played really good football. I’m really happy with all three of our quarterbacks. Kirk’s had a really good offseason, very good camp, and he’s earned it.”

Cousins will start for Las Vegas while continuing to mentor No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, who will begin his rookie season behind the veteran and potentially Aidan O’Connell, if recent reports about Mendoza ending up QB3 to start the season prove true.

The veteran QB had to earn the starting quarterback role after signing a 5-year, $172M deal, which essentially boils down to a 1-year, fully guaranteed $20M deal. Since being selected in the 4th round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Cousins has made ~ $341.4M in career earnings.

Over his career, Cousins has appeared in 174 games while completing 66.7% of his passes for 44,700 yards and 298 TDs. He has also recorded 965 rushing yards and another 20 TDs on the ground.

Cousins appeared in 10 games last season for the Falcons, completing 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 TDs and 5 INTs.

Now 38 and entering his 15th NFL season, Cousins gets another chance to lead an offense.

Las Vegas will open the season with Cousins under center, while Mendoza continues to develop.