Klint Kubiak still won’t put a name on it. But after Thursday night, it’s getting more difficult to believe a decision is still to be made
“I still don’t think we need to name anybody.”
While Kirk Cousins appears to play the role of #Raiders starter, coach Klint Kubiak avoids making it official. Story: https://t.co/5Dra4fLhs5https://t.co/5Dra4fLhs5
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 28, 2026
More non-answers
The Raiders closed out their preseason with an 18-12 loss to the 49ers at Allegiant Stadium and their head coach declined to name a Week 1 starter for the third straight week.
“It’s still a matter of a lot to talk about at a lot of positions,” Kubiak told ESPN. “I want to see it on film before we make any decisions.” The same answer he’d given all summer.
Except his line-up picks tell a different story. Kirk Cousins was making his second preseason start on Thursday after sitting out last week’s game in Houston.
Cousins has been the one Kubiak has trusted most with the offense every time he’s had a chance to call the shots.
Rough Night In Mendoza
No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza didn’t help his case. He entered with 56 seconds left in the first quarter along with several starters, and on just his second play, a toss over the middle to Jalen Nailor was tipped and picked off by linebacker Tatum Bethune.
Kubiak said after the game Nailor should have caught it but the numbers were bad anyway.
Mendoza was 7-of-14 for 57 yards and a passer rating of 31, his second interception of the preseason.
The 49ers front got to him all game, sacking him twice and hurrying him on another six dropbacks.
Reading Between the Lines
Cousins, meanwhile, isn’t putting too much stock in Kubiak’s silence. “One day, a decision can change the next,” he told reporters. “I’m just going about my business and letting things play out.
But with the season opener against Miami on September 13, Kubiak is running out of preseason snaps to hide behind.
The tape from Thursday night makes the decision look a lot easier than the coach is willing to admit.
