The Dolphins may already have a pretty good idea who they’ll see when the 2026 season opens.
The Raiders brought in Kirk Cousins this offseason after Geno Smith left for the Jets, then used the first overall pick in April’s draft on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. That setup has naturally fueled the question of who gets the Week 1 nod, and the early read keeps leaning toward the veteran.
Training camp hasn’t even arrived yet, so nothing is locked in. But the speculation around Las Vegas continues to point to Cousins starting at least early on, with Mendoza waiting in the wings.
That would give Miami a different kind of opening test than it would get against the rookie. Dolphins fans probably aren’t losing sleep over Cousins, either.
He didn’t do much against Miami last season when the Dolphins beat the Falcons with Cousins at quarterback. Still, he brings more experience than Mendoza would in his first NFL game.
“With veteran Kirk Cousins on the roster, the Raiders don't feel like they need to rush Mendoza,” said ESPN's Ryan McFadden
McFadden also said Mendoza has been turning heads inside the Raiders’ building. He pointed to the rookie’s work ethic and leadership, while noting that Mendoza has also had the usual rookie hiccups in practice.
For Miami, the matchup still looks manageable either way. The Dolphins aren’t expected to finish with a winning record, but this game could still be a win for Jeff Hafley in his first NFL game as a head coach.
The bigger question is whether Cousins or Mendoza gives Las Vegas the better shot to beat Miami. Right now, it’s hard to say either one is a major threat to the Dolphins’ defense.
Miami’s defense is young, but the team believes it will play with far more physicality than it has in recent years. If the Dolphins see Mendoza, they’ll be dealing with a young quarterback who has to sort through changing defensive looks. If it’s Cousins, they’ll face a seasoned passer who has also been inconsistent at times.
Even so, Mendoza figures to get his chance eventually. He’s the franchise quarterback now, but the Raiders are paying Cousins well, and he wasn’t brought in to sit as a backup forever.
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