Kirk Cousins wins Raiders' opening day QB job; Fernando Mendoza streak will snap

The Raiders' quarterback competition is settled. Kirk Cousins will be Las Vegas' opening-day starter, with head coach Klint Kubiak making the call official on Wednesday — and tying the decision directly to the veteran's summer: "He played really good football. I'm really happy with all three of our quarterbacks. Kirk's had a really good offseason, very good camp and he's earned it."

The decision carries recent history with it. Per Schefter, the last six quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall had all started on opening day as rookies — a streak Raiders first-rounder Fernando Mendoza will now snap. Schefter reported that this has been the Raiders' plan all along: Mendoza's time is coming, just not on opening day.

It closes the loop on the biggest story that hung over the Raiders' entire preseason, when Kubiak repeatedly declined to name a starter after the finale. For the rookie — whose preseason line of 25-of-45, one touchdown, two interceptions and four sacks showed that "the NFL is really tough" adjustment he described himself. For now, the depth chart has a name at the top, and the plan is patience.