The Miami Dolphins just got a little more clarity on their Week 1 matchup, and it came from an unexpected place.
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said Kirk Cousins is his starting quarterback for now, a move that points toward the veteran opening the season under center in Las Vegas. Kubiak made the call publicly, saying, “When we go out to practice tomorrow, Kirk Cousins is the starting quarterback. He's the guy, and he deserves it because he's played really good football.”
That leaves rookie Fernando Mendoza with a steeper climb if he wants to take the job before opening weekend. Kubiak would need a rough training camp from Cousins to change direction at this point.
For Miami, the news matters because the Dolphins have already shown they can handle Cousins. Last season, they had no trouble with him when they rolled past the Falcons. The Dolphins’ defense is built well enough to make life difficult for a quarterback like Cousins, who still gives teams enough reason to believe in a bounce-back but hasn’t consistently delivered when the games count.
And this version of the Raiders doesn’t look like a team that suddenly gives Cousins a much easier path. There are promising young players on the roster, but the idea that he’ll carry them with his arm feels like a stretch at this stage of his career.
Kubiak’s announcement doesn’t change Miami’s immediate camp priorities, though. The Dolphins are still focused on clean fundamentals, steady development and building a more physical team that can bully opponents. Their attention is on the full 17-game picture, not just one Sunday in September.
The oddsmakers aren’t expecting much from either side. Miami is projected to win 4.5 games, one full game ahead of the Cardinals at 3.5, while the Raiders are listed one game above the Dolphins. Both teams are dealing with major changes on and off the field, and early execution could matter a lot.
The opener will be in Las Vegas, but right now that doesn’t look like much of an edge for the Raiders.
In Other News...
Willie Gay Jr. May Force Dolphins Into A Tough Decision
Willie Gay Jr. has spent training camp and the preseason making a case that he belongs in the Dolphins linebacker mix, even though the room already looks crowded. Miami has Jordyn Brooks, Jacob Rodriguez, Kyle Louis and Tyrel Dodson in the group, and that depth has made every snap matter for a player trying to carve out a role after a limited defensive workload last season.
Gay has helped his cause with strong practices and a preseason interception returned for a touchdown, the kind of play that reminds a staff why it liked him in the first place. But the Dolphins have also invested in younger pieces, and with the linebacker room looking deeper than most, they may have to decide whether keeping Gay is the best use of a roster spot or whether his value is higher somewhere else. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Rookies Are Already Putting Veteran Roles In Real Danger
Miamis 2026 rookie class is already forcing some hard conversations in the building, even before the pads come on for real. General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan brought in 13 newcomers, but the attention is centered on a handful who could matter right away, especially on defense where a young linebacker and a versatile coverage piece are both being viewed as potential answers to real roster needs.
Jacob Rodriguez is the most intriguing name in that mix, with his background and draft status giving him a chance to climb fast if he handles the transition cleanly. Kyle Louis adds another layer because of the different ways he can be deployed in coverage, and that kind of flexibility tends to matter when a staff is sorting out roles. The bigger question now is how quickly those rookie evaluations turn into actual decisions, because the veterans around them are not exactly standing on solid ground. [Read more 🡒]
De'Von Achane Just Sent A Bold Message About Miami's New Identity
De'Von Achane is back on the practice field after dealing with offseason shoulder issues, and the timing matters for a Dolphins offense trying to reshape itself. Miami has spent the offseason talking about a more physical approach, one built around the run game and the strength up front, which is a notable shift for a team that has leaned so heavily on speed and space in recent years.
Achane has been one of the clearest believers in where this is headed, pointing to Bobby Slowiks arrival and the expected increase in rushing attempts as reasons for his confidence. For Miami, the bigger question is whether this new identity can hold up over a full season, and whether the backfield can turn that optimism into something defenses have to account for every week. [Read more 🡒]