Rich Weighs In on the Raiders Naming Kirk Cousins Their Starting QB over Fernando Mendoza

The Raiders named Kirk Cousins their starting quarterback, and Rich's reaction was less surprise than recognition. This was always the shape of it.

"When Kirk Cousins got signed by the Vegas Raiders, it was like, makes sense, man," Rich said. "You're not going to just draft Fernando Mendoza and throw him on the field."

Aidan O'Connell is still on the roster, and Rich made a point of saying he is a good guy to have in a quarterback room. But Las Vegas did not hire a Kubiak to run it back with a group already tested and found lacking.

"They're done trying to draft first overall," Rich said. "Got to start winning some games there in Vegas."

Which is exactly why the third option, rushing Mendoza onto the field no matter what, was never really on the table either.

"Cousins was a perfect solve," Rich said. "You can win games with him, and in a West Coast, if you will, offense." He borrowed a line from Daniel Jeremiah to close the loop: if you come out of the Shanahan and McVay world, at some point you must pay fealty to Kirk Cousins.

Las Vegas skipped the intermediary and got the genuine article.

The head coach made it official without much ceremony, though he wrapped it in the usual language about competition.

"For every position, there's got to be competition. The best player has to play," Kubiak said. "When we go out to practice tomorrow, Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback. He's the guy, and he's going to get a ton of reps and he deserves them, because he's played really good football. But I want Fernando and I want Aidan to push him."

Cousins, given the floor, said the right things and meant most of them.

"I think that's pro football," he said. "Every day we go out there, we all try to work together, raise the standard every day for one another. Every position group, we're all competing. They're going to put as many good players in the room as they can and see who can come out as the guy taking the spot to play. But we're all supporting one another and working together."

Then Mike hit the button on "What were they really thinking?" and Rich translated.

"I know Fernando Mendoza just won a national championship, and I know Aidan's been here for a while and he's a good quarterback, but I'm Kirk Cousins," Rich said, in character. "I've been around for a long time. I've been there and I've done that. I know this offense. These guys aren't going to push me. The only way that I'm going to be pushed around here is eventually out."

The bit had a second act, and it was the more generous one. Rich's version of Cousins is genuinely happy to mentor a first overall pick who he says is a really good kid.

"But the showing of the ropes is me starting."

And scene.

The schedule supports the plan. Rich walked through weeks four through seven, which bring Kansas City home, a trip to New England, then Buffalo and the Rams back in Vegas. Three of those four are at home, which helps. Week three at New Orleans does not, and Rich flagged it specifically, noting that the Saints finished last in their division last year but that the building will be well oiled by kickoff.

After that it gets no softer. At the Jets, at the Niners, home for Seattle, at Denver.

"There's not a lot of soft part of the schedule ever," Rich said. "You never know."

Which is why he lands where the Raiders landed. Get Cousins out there for the first two months, let Mendoza watch him prepare, and find out what you have.

"And then maybe Cousins plays a whole damn first season," Rich said. "I don't know. I doubt it."

The near term is not in doubt. Cousins is starting week one.