When Kirk Cousins was released by the Atlanta Falcons, the expectation was that he would never get another starting opportunity again. Even though the Falcons went 5-3 (including four straight to end the season) with him starting, it's become clear Father Time has started to catch up to Old Kirko.
But when Cousins signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, things changed given he spent time with Klint Kubiak in Minnesota. And even though the Raiders drafted Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Kubiak remained steadfast in his belief in the veteran QB as a starter.
All offseason the 37-year-old being named Las Vegas' Week 1 starter has gained steam, and Kubiak just made it official. Kirk Cousins was officially named their Week 1 starting quarterback against the Miami Dolphins--giving him a chance at a career revival he was never gonna get staying in Atlanta.
Raiders name Kirk Cousins as the starting QB for Week 1. pic.twitter.com/ANjhjLsPvj
— NFL (@NFL) September 2, 2026
Kirk Cousins was just named the Las Vegas Raiders' starting QB, but for how long?
Had the Falcons not released him in March, they would've been on the hook for a lot of money--and never would've signed Tagovailoa. And it begs the question of whether or not they're better off without him. Financially, without a doubt, but their quarterback room is still in complete peril.
The four-time Pro Bowler's new situation makes for an interesting introspective to look at: The Falcons are still letting Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa compete to be their Week 1 starter and Kevin Stefanski appears content to wait until the last possible moment to make a final decision.
Earlier this offseason, Kirk Cousins reworked his contract hoping it would be enough to prompt the new regime to keep him--but the Dirty Birds' stance remained unchanged. He got cut and landed in Vegas, the one team who offering him an opportunity to compete for a starting job this season. And of course, unlike Penix Jr., he's embraced mentoring Mendoza.
While Cousins is the Raiders' Week 1 starter, it remains to be seen how long this will actually last for. There's a vast range of outcomes here: Mendoza can take over as soon as Week 3 or 4 like Jaxson Dart did, or Kirk Cousins can hold onto the job for the majority of 2026 and step in as his mentor.
In Atlanta, Kirko Chainz never lived up to the four-year, $180 million contract he signed--even in a favorable situation, this Raiders' staff has a different level of belief in him due to his past relationship with Kubiak, and even though they have the reigning Heisman Trophy winner waiting, they don't care.
When Kirk Cousins left the Falcons, we thought Fernando Mendoza would ensure history would repeat itself like it did with Michael Penix Jr. He'd be a bridge guy, but his time as the starter would be on the clock due to a high-upside youngster.
But Klint Kubiak believes in him more than Raheem Morris or Zac Robinson ever did--and that note of confidence is keeping his career alive at was supposed to be a trying time.
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