Klint Kubiak sends message to Kirk Cousins as Fernando Mendoza learns Raiders' offense

The perception has existed since even before the Las Vegas Raiders made quarterback Fernando Mendoza the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft that first-year Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak wants to start veteran Kirk Cousins over Mendoza for Las Vegas' Week 1 home game versus the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13. 

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Kubiak insisted that Cousins is not yet cemented atop the Raiders' depth chart this spring. 

Fernando Mendoza still has a chance to win starting job from Kirk Cousins?

"It’s going to reveal itself, especially in training camp," Kubiak said about the competition for the QB1 job, per Alexa Belcastro of KSNV NBC Las Vegas. "But it’s going to reveal itself here in these next OTAs and minicamp practices. Let the players figure that out for us with their tape." 

Raiders minority owner Tom Brady seems to have an active role in the organization, and he once said that he thinks it's "a tragedy" that teams play certain quarterbacks as rookies. However, Mendoza has clearly impressed coaches and teammates with how he has handled his business since the draft. 

"[He has] not disappointed," Kubiak said about Mendoza, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. "He's working his tail off. It's very important to him that he asks a lot of great questions when he gets on the field. He's no B.S.; he's all ball. ...Anything new, he spends extra time on. You can tell he fixes things from one day to the next." 

Raiders still "counting on" Kirk Cousins despite Fernando Mendoza impressing this spring?

Kubiak also seemed to want it known that Cousins shouldn't become a forgotten member of the Raiders' quarterback room among outsiders ahead of the team's summer break.  

"He’s a professional," Kubiak said about Cousins. "He’s played a lot of football. He’s a leader that we’re counting on right now." 

It's unclear if Kubiak will hold a legitimate competition involving Cousins and Mendoza for the starting job through at least the Raiders' first preseason game in August. For now, it sounds like Mendoza may be ahead of schedule as it pertains to his overall development.