NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport believes Raiders QB Kirk Cousins “likely will be starting games for them in 2026.”

02 April 2026

The Raiders’ presumed No. 1 overall pick, Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, could end up challenging Cousins for the starting role this summer. For now, it appears as though Cousins is penciled in to break the huddle in Week 1. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak prefaced today’s signing by publicly explaining the value in allowing a young quarterback to develop on the bench. If the Raiders add more offensive weapons via the 2026 NFL Draft, free agency and trades, Cousins could warrant matchup-based consideration as a fantasy starter.