Insider explains expected Raiders' Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza decision

NFL reporter Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports revealed that first-year Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak is "expected" to name veteran Kirk Cousins the team's Week 1 starting quarterback over rookie Fernando Mendoza. 

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shared more information on why Cousins will start the Raiders' regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13. 

Fernando Mendoza still needs "time" to start in a Klint Kubiak offense

"There were always a couple different levels to when Mendoza would get on the field," Breer explained. "The first is his own readiness to play, and those who come from the coaching family that Kubiak does have a meticulous, detailed process for weaning quarterbacks into the system, rooted in detail in footwork and timing, and tying a player’s feet to his progressions and his eyes to his feet. That takes time, and Mendoza is moving along nicely in getting there." 

Cousins previously had Kubiak as a position coach for two years and as coordinator for a third season when the two were with the Minnesota Vikings. For a Casino.org article, NFL insider Jason La Canfora mentioned that Kubiak "is implementing footwork and concepts Cousins has already mastered." 

"Cousins understands the quick-passing game at a very high level," La Canfora noted, "and he processes defenses rapidly and is adept at finding his hots even if that line is under duress." 

As for the alleged competition for the Raiders' QB1 job, Cousins held the lead from the start of springtime workouts through the Raiders' first preseason game. Mendoza then completed 8-of-15 passes for 86 yards and an interception that was returned for a touchdown at the Houston Texans on Aug. 20. He later went 7-of-14 passing for 57 yards with an interception and two sacks taken against the San Francisco 49ers.

Is there some truth to this Fernando Mendoza, Kirk Cousins narrative?

Before the Raiders' preseason finale, Kubiak suggested that the overall state of the team's roster isn't impacting the coach's Cousins-Mendoza decision. Breer doesn't seem to be convinced that's entirely true. 

"The second is and always was going to be what the Raiders could put around him," Breer added about when Las Vegas could start Mendoza. "Was there enough up front beyond left tackle Kolton Miller and center Tyler Linderbaum? Was the skill group far enough along, past all that tight end Brock Bowers can bring to the table (and that is a lot), to lift a young quarterback up, or would that group be better off with a veteran? How much can Ashton Jeanty, now a little nicked up, carry the offense and ease the burden on his QB?  To be clear, I do think Mendoza will play at some point this year. ...But knowing what I do about Kubiak, I’d be pretty stunned if they weren’t extremely disciplined in how and when it happens. And, as the above would tell you, some of that is within Mendoza’s control, and some of it is not."

In short, it sounds like Kubiak could stick with Cousins even if the Raiders have a losing record after Halloween.