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Coach's QB Quandary: Veteran or Rookie?
21 Aug
Summary
- Coach Kubiak avoids naming Raiders' Week 1 starting QB.
- Veteran Cousins was previously seen as the favorite.
- Rookie Mendoza was the team's No. 1 pick in 2026.
Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak has surprised many by not naming a starting quarterback for the upcoming regular season opener. The decision leaves veteran Marcus Cousins and rookie Aidan O'Connell in uncertainty regarding their positions on the depth chart.
Previously, Kubiak had indicated that the starting job was Cousins' to lose. However, following a preseason game where O'Connell started and was later replaced by Aidan O'Connell, Kubiak's stance has shifted. This has led to speculation about whether the coach is playing mind games to keep players on edge.
Rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell, who was the Raiders' top pick in the 2026 draft, is also a key figure in this decision. The team signed Cousins with the intention of him serving as a bridge quarterback while O'Connell develops and learns behind an experienced player. O'Connell himself acknowledged the significant learning curve and the small margins for error at the professional level.
