Kubiak keeps QB race going: 'Got another week'

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  Ryan McFaddenAug 21, 2026, 01:22 AM ET

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  Ryan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN's NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun.

HOUSTON -- Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak is not ready to name a starting quarterback for the regular season despite sitting Kirk Cousins and having rookie Fernando Mendoza start in Thursday's 22-20 preseason win over the Houston Texans.

"We got another week. I don't want anyone to be comfortable in their job," Kubiak said. "It should always be that way for all positions. So, let's keep going."

Cousins has played only one drive in two preseason games. He was among a handful of starters that spent the evening on the sideline of Reliant Stadium, including defensive end Maxx Crosby, running back Ashton Jeanty, tight end Brock Bowers and left tackle Kolton Miller.

Kubiak said the team viewed Tuesday's joint practice as a game for some players, leading to the decision to rest them.

The starters watched from the sideline while Mendoza played the entire first half. He completed 8 of 15 passes for 86 yards and an interception on five drives. His longest completion was a 22-yard pass to wide receiver Jalen Nailor.

Nailor and wide receiver Jack Bech were the only projected starters to play. Quarterback Aidan O'Connell played the final two quarters. He recorded 166 passing yards and scored the go-ahead rushing touchdown in the final seconds of the fourth quarter.

"Coach Kubiak outlined for the team what the plan was going to be with the starters, essentially for weeks one, two and three of the preseason, [and] to keep it internally," Mendoza said. "That was something I knew going into the game was gonna be a great experience as a first start in the NFL preseason, which is always the next step."

Mendoza said he will walk away from his time in Houston knowing that he has a lot of learning to do. He added the margin for error is small in the NFL, and one slip-up could lead to a catastrophe. That was true on the opening drive against the Texans.

Positioned at Houston's 24-yard line, Mendoza threw a pick-six to linebacker Wade Woodaz. Mendoza tried to check the ball down to rookie running back Mike Washington Jr., but Woodaz jumped in front of the throw and then returned the ball 80 yards for a touchdown.

Mendoza also threw a pick-six in the joint practice while playing extensive reps with the first-team offense.

"I probably should have checked it down to the flat," Mendoza said. "It was not a good throw. We weren't on the same page."

Mendoza had two of his throws to rookie wide receiver Malik Benson result in incompletions. The former Oregon pass catcher dropped Mendoza's pass on third down at the 3:51 mark of the second quarter. With 17 seconds left before halftime, Mendoza's pass to Benson was broken up by cornerback Tremon Smith.

Mendoza was sacked once and pressured six times. He said he needs to improve his pocket movement.

"Maybe stepping up in the pocket," he said, "maybe stepping side to side to give [me] a little bit more time and try to best serve my teammates."