Cousins Bridges Raiders to Mendoza's Future | Las Vegas Raiders News

The Las Vegas Raiders are betting big on veteran QB Kirk Cousins to start Week One against the Dolphins, using his experience as a bridge while letting rookie Fernando Mendoza develop slowly under head coach Klint Kubiak. Cousins’ proven track record—1,700+ yards, 10 TDs, 5 INTs last season—and his familiarity with Kubiak from their time in Minnesota make him the ideal short-term solution. Former Raider Rich Gannon called Cousins an “air traffic controller” who masters the offense, emphasizing how crucial quarterback-playcaller trust is for success. ESPN’s Booger McFarland expects Cousins to lead most of the season, with Mendoza likely sidelined until later in the year as he learns the ropes—including taking snaps under center. This smart, patient strategy balances immediate competitiveness with long-term growth for the franchise. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/3de126626bd98651