It’s Doing Nothing’: Analyst Disagrees With Klint Kubiak’s Decision to Pick Kirk Cousins As QB1 Over Fernando Mendoza — Yahoo Sports

RESOLVING THE LEDGER

Fernando Mendoza, © IMAGN Images

The Las Vegas Raiders kickstarted their training camp journey on Wednesday with the no.1 pick from the 2026 NFL draft, Fernando Mendoza in his rookie season.

Mendoza is currently fighting veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins for the starting quarterback position, however, coach Klint Kubiak announced on Tuesday that it will be the veteran player, who will be taking the reps as the QB1 on the first day of the training camp.

Klint explained that he is scheduled to get a lot of reps and added that he deserves them, the Raiders coach also pointed out that he wants Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell to push the veteran quarterback.

Talking about Kubiak’s decision to let Cousins take the charge as the QB1, Jason McIntyre expressed his frustration on Wednesday:

“I am not excited to watch Kirk Cousins play football. In the least. Not at all. Now, it’s interesting. The schedule makers didn’t really give any like, prime time spots to the Raiders. Despite having the number one pick. I mean, look at the schedule. There’s a lot of bad games on there. Let’s start with the Dolphins, who have one of the lowest win totals in the league.“ McIntyre said.

“It’s doing nothing for the future of the team. At all. Just throw Mendoza out there!” McIntyre added.

Adam Schefter Breaks Down Tom Brady’s Mindset About Fernando Mendoza

Talking about whether it was the Raiders’ plan all along to let Kirk Cousins start as the QB1, insider Adam Schefter said on Tuesday on “NFL On ESPN:”

“Absolutely. That’s why they signed him. That’s why they were as aggressive as they were to keep him, sign him, and bring him to Las Vegas. And Tom Brady knew that he wanted a veteran to start the season to take the pressure off Fernando Mendoza. And if my memory serves me correctly, I think Adam Thielen played five seasons with Kirk Cousins. He knows what he would bring to a roster, to a roster meeting experience like Kirk Cousins will bring. So, Kirk Cousins will be the starter. It’ll be him. It looks like an opening day. And they’re going to bring along Fernando Mendoza at a very slow and casual pace.”

The Raiders signed Cousins to a 5-year deal with $20 million in guaranteed money for the first year.