Raiders' Klint Kubiak makes strange Fernando Mendoza, Kirk Cousins call after preseason finale

For months, the perception has existed that first-year Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has planned to name veteran Kirk Cousins the team's Week 1 starting quarterback over rookie Fernando Mendoza. 

Mendoza then did nothing to take the job out of Cousins' hands in the Raiders' preseason finale, an 18-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night. Nevertheless, Kubiak continued to keep outsiders guessing about his depth chart following that game. 

Raiders still "have a lot to talk about" regarding Fernando Mendoza, Kirk Cousins decision

"I still don't think we need to name anybody," Kubiak said about his Week 1 QB1 after Thursday's defeat, per Ryan McFadden of ESPN. "We have a lot to talk about at a lot of positions, so we want to watch the film and talk about everything as a staff."

The starting job was Cousins' "to lose" before he started against the 49ers and then completed 8 of 11 passes for 51 yards. Meanwhile, Mendoza once again looked like a rookie still learning about life in the NFL, as he went 7-of-14 passing for 57 yards, an interception and two sacks taken. 

It's believed the Raiders' overall lack of quality depth is one reason Cousins will eventually get the nod. Following Thursday's game, Kubiak suggested that Mendoza needs more exhibition reps before he's ready to go up against live defenses in meaningful contests. 

"He needs another three preseason games," Kubiak added about the first overall pick of the 2026 draft. "All those rookies do, and now that the season's starting, the practice reps get smaller, and that's just life. But as coaches, we've got to get them ready to play, keep developing them."

Kirk Cousins reacts to Klint Kubiak's refusal to name a starter

Cousins may know he's on track to start the Raiders' Week 1 home game against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13. Perhaps that's why he seemingly didn't lose any sleep following Thursday's game about Kubiak's refusal to identify his QB1. 

"Naming something one day could change the next," Cousins explained. "You just go about your business each day, methodically, and let the chips fall where they may."

Barring a surprising development, Kubiak could reveal expected news about his depth chart as soon as Friday.