Kirk Cousins has won the quarterback battle in Sin City.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak named the veteran pivot his starter ahead of No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.
“Kirk’s had a very good offseason, a really good camp and he’s earned it,” Kubiak told reporters on Wednesday.
Cousins, 38, signed with the Raiders this past spring after his release from the Atlanta Falcons. The Michigan State product is headed into his 15th NFL season. He threw for 51 yards on eight-for-11 passing in his lone preseason appearance.
The former Minnesota Vikings starter beat out Mendoza for the role. The 22-year-old top pick led Indiana to a National Championship last season. The backup role for Mendoza was hinted at by general manager John Spytek on Tuesday.
“He’s a tireless worker,” Spytek said of Mendoza. “He loves football. He loves his teammates. He’s energetic on the field. He’s self-critical. He’s self-aware. He’s very accurate. His time is coming, but he’s got to earn it every day, and he knows that. I think we’re all very pleased with the person and his work ethic and his commitment to being a great quarterback.”
The Raiders have made the playoffs just twice since 2003. Their last postseason appearance came after the 2021 season when they lost in the wild-card round to the Cincinnati Bengals. The team opens its season on Sept. 13 at home to the Miami Dolphins.
