Raiders still not ready to name starting quarterback after final preseason game

The Las Vegas Raiders’ preseason is over. Following an 18-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Klint Kubiak and his crew can now focus on Week 1, which is just two weeks away. There’s only one problem there … the team still hasn’t named a starting quarterback.

Kubiak wasn’t willing to make that call following Thursday’s game, telling reporters he wanted to watch the tape and then make his decision, per ESPN.

“I still don’t think we need to name anybody,” Kubiak said after Las Vegas’ 18-12 loss at Allegiant Stadium. “We have a lot to talk about at a lot of positions, so we want to watch the film and talk about everything as a staff.”

“I still don’t think we need to name anybody,” Kubiak said after Las Vegas’ 18-12 loss at Allegiant Stadium. “We have a lot to talk about at a lot of positions, so we want to watch the film and talk about everything as a staff.”

While Kubiak spent the entire offseason hinting at going with a veteran over No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, the rookie showed some fight in the team’s first two preseason games. Those performances had some wondering whether Mendoza was ahead of schedule, and could be named the team’s starter for the regular season.

But Week 3 of the preseason threw some cold water on that idea. Mendoza struggled during the contest, while veteran Kirk Cousins led the team on two scoring drives.

With the Raiders’ preseason officially over, Cousins has the statistical edge to claim the starting role.

Kubiak wasn’t ready to make that call yet, but that didn’t bother Cousins, per ESPN.

“Naming something one day could change the next,” Cousins said. “You just go about your business each day, methodically, and let the chips fall where they may.”

“Naming something one day could change the next,” Cousins said. “You just go about your business each day, methodically, and let the chips fall where they may.”

The decision should happen soon. With a little over two weeks left until the regular season, the Raiders need to start looking ahead. Sorting out the team’s starting quarterback would go a long way toward accomplishing that goal.

While Mendoza will get his shot eventually, it certainly looks like Cousins — who was always the favorite — wrapped up the job with his performance Thursday. Kubiak will probably agree with that assessment after watching the game tape.