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Kirk Cousins Named Raiders Starter for Season Opener

8/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak announced that Kirk Cousins will start the season.
Cousins completed five of six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive.
Fernando Mendoza completed ten of 16 passes for 97 yards and a six-yard touchdown and said he let teammates down and must improve.
Kubiak said Cousins, Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell deserve first-team reps and that a split-play plan will be made.

History

Historical Context

When Trent Green’s preseason ACL tear forced the St. Louis Rams to start backup Kurt Warner in 1999, he threw for 4,353 yards and 41 touchdowns, leading the “Greatest Show on Turf” to a 13-3 record and Super Bowl XXXIV victory. That decisive starter change and Mike Martz’s split-run offense illustrate how the Raiders’ 2024 quarterback rotation under Klint Kubiak hopes to spark a similar franchise turnaround.

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Story summary

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak announced that Kirk Cousins will start the season.
Cousins completed five of six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive.
Fernando Mendoza completed ten of 16 passes for 97 yards and a six-yard touchdown and said he let teammates down and must improve.
Kubiak said Cousins, Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell deserve first-team reps and that a split-play plan will be made.

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