10
Loading video...
By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Las Vegas Raiders landed the best available quarterback in April's NFL Draft with Indiana Hoosiers champion and Heisman Trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza.
While he is considered by many to be the future of the franchise, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be an immediate starter for the Raiders. The team also has veteran QB Kirk Cousins, who has shown he's still more than capable of leading an offense.
With that in mind, head coach Klint Kubiak made it quite clear who he sees as the team's starter heading into training camp this week.
Read More on NFL
"When we go out to practice tomorrow, Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback. He's the guy, and he deserves it because he's played really good football," Kubiak said, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport on Tuesday.
"He's the guy, and he deserves it because he's played really good football. But I want Fernando and Aidan [O'Connell] to push him," Kubiak also said, per ESPN.
More news: Justin Herbert Shares Personal Announcement Before Chargers Season
...
Cousins is entering his 15th season in the league and will be playing for the fourth different team in his career. Last season, he suited up for the Atlanta Falcons, playing 10 games and starting eight due to Michael Penix Jr.'s injury in Week 11. With Penix Jr. needing season-ending surgery, Cousins became the team's starter for the rest of the season.
He threw for 1,721 yards and 10 touchdowns with five interceptions and a 47.6 QBR. Cousins also had a 5-3 record during his eight starts, showing he can still stack together wins when needed.
He was released by the Falcons in March and brought to the Raiders as a veteran, mentor QB for Mendoza to learn from. Per ESPN's report, it's a philosophy shared not only by coach Kubiak, but also by Raiders general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady.
Mendoza is still young and unproven, so fans will want to see him on the field this season. That may or may not arrive depending on training camp battles.
The team could choose to start Mendoza immediately, but he's also a former college quarterback getting used to and learning the NFL. If Cousins becomes the regular-season starter but experiences issues leading the team or injury concerns, Mendoza could also get his shot.
"We put a lot on his plate during the offseason. We expect a lot out of him as these practices start coming," Kubiak said of the team's No. 1 pick.
Cousins and Kubiak also have a former connection with the Minnesota Vikings. Kubiak was the team's quarterbacks coach during three of Cousins' six seasons there.
The Raiders' head coach previously said that Cousins looked "excellent" after playing most of the reps during the team's offseason program. They'll begin training camp on Wednesday, with their first preseason game on Thursday, Aug. 13 against the Arizona Cardinals.
They'll begin their regular-season schedule with a matchup against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 13, in Las Vegas.
More news: Aaron Rodgers Gives 2-Word Response on NFL Future With Steelers
For more about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL, head over to Newsweek Sports.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines