The NFL used to throw No. 1 picks to the wolves in Week 1. Not this year.
Las Vegas named Kirk Cousins the starter for September 13 vs. Miami. Fernando Mendoza โ Heisman, undefeated Indiana, first overall pick โ is the backup. Barring injury, 2026 is the first season since 2022 without a rookie quarterback starting Week 1.
That is the story. Not โCousins forever.โ โThe league still likes a shock absorber.โ
The facts on the ground
Coach Klint Kubiak said Cousins earned it: good camp, good offseason, โreally good football.โ Cousins is 38, 15th season, 167 career starts, about 44,700 passing yards. Preseason: 76.5% completions, a touchdown, short samples.
Mendoza will be the first No. 1 pick not to start Week 1 since Baker Mayfield in 2018. Cam Ward, Caleb Williams, and Bryce Young all went to work immediately. Vegas is choosing the Jared Goff / sit-and-learn path.
Cousins will be the ninth Raiders starting QB since they moved on from Derek Carr in 2022. Fourth coach-QB combo in four years. Stability is the product they are trying to buy.
What โQB1โ is not
It is not a lifetime contract. Las Vegas has no bye until Week 13. Kubiakโs answer on Mendozaโs snaps: get to Miami first.
What this means for you
Fantasy: Cousins is a Week 1 name. Mendoza is a dynasty name. Do not start the rookie in your lineup on vibes.
Raider fans: this is the plan they signed in April. Judge it after a month, not after the press conference.
Bottom line: the kid is the future. The vet takes the first snap. That is not a snub. It is how you try not to break a No. 1 pick in September.
GLHR NEWS explains the news. Not investment, tax, or trading advice. Do your own work before you act.
