The Las Vegas Raiders are sorting out their quarterback options as they put out their first depth chart.
The Las Vegas Raiders have listed rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza as their No. 2 QB in the first iteration of their depth chart, as the Raiders continue to sort things out in advance of their preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night.
The potentially-controversial situation has been well managed to date by new coach Klint Kubiak, who’s been consistent in insisting that Kirk Cousins will be running the offense to start the season. The Raiders did have to deal with a training camp scrap that made headlines when Cousins took on defensive end Maxx Crosby, and Cousins was back after discussing the QB situation with Dan Graziano of ESPN.
"Good quarterback room," Cousins told Graziano. "We've enjoyed just working together as a group. We have good dialogue every day. I think the organization is positioned well having drafted Fernando. I'm going to try to hold him off as long as I can, and we'll see how it goes up ahead."
Cousins is clearly an expert at saying the right things, and in this situation is matters. Last season was an exercise in chaos for the Raiders, and Cousins was brought in by Kubiak to restore order and get things under control.
"My history with Klint was the biggest reason why coming here made sense," Cousins said. "Comfort level with Klint and the system. I think he's doing a great job as a first-year head coach instilling his culture and his system. I think guys are rallying behind it. Time will tell. We've got to go turn it into wins and have a great season."
Graziano also offered some thoughts on the Raiders’ depth situation in a couple of other position groups, most notably linebacker and wide receiver.
The Raiders went into free agency assuming that Crosby would be a Baltimore Raven, so they now have a lot of depth at edge rusher, per the writer. Las Vegas signed Kwity Paye to step in and provide pressure, and they also drafted Keyron Crawford out of Auburn in the third round. The Raiders also believe that Malcolm Koonce is back to being the player he was before his injury back in 2024, hence the depth note.
Things are less certain at receiver, as the Chiefs currently don’t have an X receiver, according to Graziano. They’re waiting for someone to step up, but so far Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton have been inconsistent in camp, the writer added, with late draft pick Malik Benson showing some occasional flashes.
