Raiders still refusing to name a starting QB, but they've given plenty of hints about Week 1

Key Takeaways

• Ahead of the regular season, Las Vegas has not officially named a starting quarterback, though all signs indicate Kirk Cousins will start Week 1. Coach Klint Kubiak described the competition as ongoing and said no one should feel secure in their job.
• Cousins’ strongest public cue came after the Aug. 13 preseason win over the Cardinals, when Kubiak said the veteran had been taking the top reps and that it was his job to lose, signaling a clear current favorite.
• Cousins’ performance in the joint practice and a preseason tune-up against Houston featured ups and downs, including a pick-six to Kamari Lassiter and several positive plays, without erasing the sense that he remains the leading candidate.
• Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, appeared with the first team during practice but struggled in Houston, throwing two interceptions in a red-zone sequence and a pick-six to Jalen Pitre, highlighting the learning curve.
• Mendoza’s game action on Thursday produced 8-for-15 for 86 yards, with the lone touchdown going to the defense, further indicating he isn’t yet ready to overpower the veteran in live competition.
• Kubiak noted Mendoza still has much to clean up and improve on, reinforcing that while the rookie is being developed, he hasn’t unseated Cousins, who may sit only for limited preseason action to stay healthy.
• With Cousins likely to miss the final preseason game, the pattern of limited exposure for the veteran over three games and the historical emphasis on rest for veterans point toward Cousins starting the opener against the Dolphins, absent a dramatic turn in camp.