Klint Kubiak backs Kirk Cousins as Raiders’ starting QB

Klint Kubiak made the quarterback depth chart plain on Friday, telling NBC Sports that Kirk Cousins will remain the Raiders’ first‑team signal caller even after Fernando Mendoza’s encouraging preseason debut. The offensive coordinator praised what he saw from Mendoza in the opener, but said Cousins has been working with the starters and will continue to do so.

The update, reported by NBC Sports on August 14, 2026, clarifies the short‑term plan at the most scrutinized position on the roster. It means the veteran Cousins holds the inside track on QB1 while Mendoza’s performance turns the backup battle into one of Las Vegas’ most closely watched storylines of the summer.

What Klint Kubiak actually said about the Raiders’ QB plan

According to NBC Sports, Kubiak’s message was twofold: he liked what he saw from Fernando Mendoza in the preseason opener, and Kirk Cousins will keep taking first‑team snaps. That pairing matters. It signals respect for Mendoza’s showing without blurring the line over who is running the offense right now.

By stressing that Cousins has been with the first string and will stay there, Kubiak effectively framed the job as the veteran’s to lose. For fans tracking every preseason throw, the key takeaway is that strong backup play has not yet translated into a true open competition at the top of the depth chart.

“Strong backup play has not yet turned into a true open competition at the top of the depth chart.”

Why Kirk Cousins still sits on top of the Raiders’ depth chart

Cousins has been working with the first‑team offense throughout camp, and Kubiak told NBC Sports that will continue. That continuity matters more than a single preseason outing. First‑team reps dictate who gets timing with starting receivers, who hears protections in real time, and who owns the huddle in joint practices and game prep.

Labeling QB1 as Cousins’ job to lose also sets expectations inside the building. Teammates can prepare around one voice while coaches evaluate everyone else against that standard. For Raiders fans wondering whether a preseason spark could suddenly vault Mendoza into the top spot, Kubiak’s stance answers that for now: the path to Week 1 still runs through Cousins unless his performance changes the calculus.

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What Fernando Mendoza’s preseason opener really changed

Kubiak’s acknowledgment that he "liked what he saw" from Mendoza in the preseason opener, as reported by NBC Sports, is not nothing. It confirms that the young quarterback did enough to register with the play caller, which is often the first step toward earning more work with different personnel groupings.

The important nuance is that Mendoza’s performance appears to have reshaped the conversation behind Cousins more than at the top spot. When a coordinator singles out a backup’s preseason tape, it often means expanded opportunities in future exhibitions, more tailored install sessions, or chances to run specific packages. The takeaway for viewers is simple: Mendoza’s next preseason snaps now carry more weight because he has Kubiak’s attention, even if they do not yet come with the starting unit.

“Mendoza’s next preseason snaps now carry more weight because he has Kubiak’s attention.”

How the Raiders’ QB hierarchy shapes the rest of preseason

With Cousins entrenched with the first string, the Raiders’ remaining preseason games become a balancing act. The staff must get Cousins enough live work to sync with the starters while also giving Mendoza meaningful series to test his development. Kubiak’s comments suggest the staff will preserve the existing hierarchy while still mining the preseason for answers behind QB1.

For fans, that means two different viewing lenses. Drives led by Cousins are about rhythm and efficiency with the starting offense. Series for Mendoza are an audition, both for the firm backup role and for how confidently the staff could pivot if circumstances ever forced a change. The hierarchy might be settled today, but the preseason schedule still offers room for movement lower on the depth chart.

Where to follow the next twists in the Raiders quarterback story

Kubiak’s public backing of Cousins as the first‑team quarterback gives the Raiders a clear depth chart snapshot in mid‑August, but it does not end the story. Preseason performances, minor injuries, and practice evaluations can all adjust roles behind the scenes long before the regular season kicks off.

As NBC Sports continues to track Las Vegas’ quarterback situation, fans who want day‑to‑day chatter and reaction can Follow live news and talk on Spinn Radio. The QB1 label belongs to Cousins right now, yet Mendoza’s rise from intriguing preseason note to long‑term factor is the kind of arc that will play out in real time on air and online.

“The QB1 label belongs to Cousins right now, but Mendoza’s rise will be traced snap by snap over the rest of the preseason.”

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