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Raiders GM hints at open QB battle for Week 1 starter
TL;DR
The Las Vegas Raiders signed Kirk Cousins but are considering an open competition for the Week 1 starting quarterback position. General manager John Spytek emphasized that no decisions have been finalized yet.
The Las Vegas Raiders recently made an offseason move by signing Kirk Cousins, but that move didnāt stop speculation about Fernando Mendoza possibly landing in Vegas as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
If the Raiders go that route, head coach Klint Kubiak will face an immediate decision about who starts Week 1. Conventional wisdom says you go with the veteran, especially when that veteran is Cousins.
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But general manager John Spytek made it clear Tuesday that nothing is set in stone.
John Spytek confirms meritocracy for QB1 role
The Raiders plan to let competition decide who takes the first snap of the season. Spytek didnāt close the door on a rookie getting the nod if he earns it, though he acknowledged the challenge of playing quarterback at a high level straight out of college.
āUltimately, this is a meritocracy, and the best guy will play. Itās just really hard to play really well at a young age, but weāve seen plenty of quarterbacks do it recently. You know how that goes going forward,ā Spytek said. āObviously, we added Kirk, we have Aidan [OāConnell], and weāll see how it goes, but the best man will play.ā
Fernando Mendoza
Spytekās comments did not confirm Mendoza as the target, but the tone suggested the Raiders are thinking hard about taking a quarterback early. Recent history points toward rookies starting immediately. Each of the last six first-overall quarterbacks opened their rookie seasons as Week 1 starters.
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Baker Mayfield in 2018 was the last exception, and even he took over quickly. Spytek stressed the massive jump from college to the NFL, signaling caution about rushing a young signal-caller onto the field before heās ready.
If Mendoza winds up in Las Vegas, heāll walk into a real competition. Cousins didnāt sign with the Raiders just to hold a clipboard. He made his decision after multiple conversations, including one with Tom Brady, where he got a clearer picture of the franchiseās direction.
Cousins wants to prove he can still lead an offense. His 2025 numbers with the Atlanta Falcons tell part of the story. An 84.8 passer rating, 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions across 10 games.
Q&A
What did Raiders GM John Spytek say about the quarterback position?
John Spytek confirmed that the starting quarterback role for Week 1 is open and will be determined based on merit.
Who are the potential candidates for the Raiders' starting quarterback in 2026?
Kirk Cousins is currently signed, but there is speculation about Fernando Mendoza potentially being the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
What factors might influence the Raiders' decision on their starting quarterback?
The decision will likely consider the performance of both Kirk Cousins and any other candidates during the preseason, as Spytek highlighted the importance of meritocracy.
