RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Klint Kubiak is keeping his cards close to his chest.
The preseason is now in the history books for the Las Vegas Raiders , but the starting quarterback in Week 1 remains a mystery for the silver-and-black.
Kubiak declined to name his QB1 in the immediate aftermath of the preseason finale. However, the rookie head coach might've provided a hint as to who has the edge in the battle between Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza .
“He needs another three preseason games,” Kubiak said of Mendoza during his post game press conference . “You know, all those rookies do. And now that the season’s starting, you know, the practice reps get smaller, and that’s just life. But, us as coaches, we gotta get them ready to play, keep developing them.”
GRADES: Fernando Mendoza shaky in preseason finale
In other words, Mendoza remains a work-in-progress. The rookie tossed his second interception in as many games, completing just 7-of-14 pass attempts for 57 yards in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers . Mendoza's preseason was far from easy, highlighting the difference between the college and the professional ranks.
“The NFL is really tough," Mendoza said. "There is a big jump going from college to the NFL, and the speed in, there's so many different aspects. And the NFL is a tough business and it's a challenge. I look forward to taking head on with my teammates, and I'm excited for the future."
Luckily for Mendoza, his on-field future doesn't have to be his present.
The Raiders opted to sign Cousins as a bridge to the rookie, affording the team an opportunity to let the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to let him sit and learn behind a quarterback he called "ruthlessly efficient."
Cousins started for a second time in the preseason, seemingly indicating the Raiders' intention to start him. While Kubiak refuses to officially name a starter, Cousins isn't worried about the decision ahead of Week 1.
"It's just up to coach," said Cousins. "You just do the best you can with the opportunities you're given, lead as well as you can, compete, and you're never a finished product. Naming something one day can change the next day. So you just go about your business each day methodically and let the chips fall they may."
Of course, Kubiak has no obligation to name his QB1. It could just be some gamesmanship from the rookie head coach. After all, everything seems to point in one player's direction to get the nod in Week 1.
One way or another, that decision will be revealed no later than 4:25 p.m. ET on Sept. 13 when the Raiders kick off the season at home against the Miami Dolphins.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Klint Kubiak doesn't name Raiders QB1 after preseason finale
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