Two stats help explain the Raiders' Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza plan

First-year Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak and Raiders general manager John Spytek both seemingly want veteran Kirk Cousins to remain the club's starting quarterback over rookie Fernando Mendoza well beyond the team's Week 1 game against the Miami Dolphins this coming Sunday afternoon. 

For a piece published on Friday, Raiders reporter Sam Warren of The Athletic shared more insight into why the club is comfortable with Cousins starting until further notice. 

Kirk Cousins more likely to stay healthy than Fernando Mendoza?

"Cousins averaged a 2.32-second time to throw during the preseason, third fastest among quarterbacks with 10 or more attempts and nearly a half-second faster than the league average from last season (2.76 seconds)," Warren wrote. "He was decisive, stayed in rhythm and navigated his reads smoothly; all vital for a quarterback in Kubiak’s timing-based offense. Conversely, Mendoza averaged 2.95 seconds to throw on his preseason attempts, 12th slowest among quarterbacks with 10 or more attempts. Cousins’ quick release allows him to avoid sacks — particularly notable considering the Raiders allowed a league-high 64 last year."

Rookie quarterbacks who learn about life in the NFL as starters typically take sacks in bunches, commonly getting confused by what an opposing defensive coordinator throws their way, which causes them to hold onto the ball too long. The 38-year-old Cousins isn't known for extending plays with his legs at this point in his career, but his experience and quick release could keep him from absorbing the type of punishment that Mendoza could endure while playing behind an offensive line that still has issues. 

Why the Raiders may eventually have to bench Kirk Cousins for Fernando Mendoza

It's now no secret that Raiders minority owner Tom Brady has plenty of say regarding the club's football operations and wants Mendoza to develop as a backup through at least the fall. That said, Warren explained why Cousins could lose the QB1 job to Mendoza sooner than some think. 

"[Cousins'] 16 interceptions with the Falcons in 2024 were tied for most in the NFL and set a career high," Warren added. "He threw five last season in eight starts. The Raiders have consequently kept things close to the line of scrimmage with Cousins on the field. He averaged 2.9 air yards per attempt during the preseason. ...If Cousins can’t present the threat of the deep ball, opposing defenses can consistently play man coverage, hindering the success of the offense no matter how well he operates it. Teams can focus on stopping the run, putting pressure on Cousins to drive passes downfield to keep the Raiders moving. Las Vegas can call on the veteran to do so, but they risk putting the ball in harm’s way, especially with a lack of separators at receiver."

As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Raiders as three-point home favorites against the Dolphins. If Miami upsets Las Vegas, calls among Raiders fans for Mendoza to start the Week 2 game at the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 20 could grow loud in a hurry.