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VEGAS SPORTS REPORT: Tom Brady’s Influence Shapes Raiders’ Kirk Cousins Decision

By jili tutorial · September 4, 2026

VEGAS SPORTS REPORT: Tom Brady’s Influence Shapes Raiders’ Kirk Cousins Decision

Brady’s Impact on Raiders’ Roster Decisions

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak revealed that Hall of Fame quarterback and minority owner Tom Brady played a key role in shaping the team ahead of the new season, including the decision to name Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback on Wednesday, September 2.

“We lean on him for a lot of things,” Kubiak said. “I talk to him multiple times per week, and he’s been extremely helpful for roster building, schematics, and team building. You name it. Just an extremely impressive resource.”

The move to start Cousins over rookie No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza came as no surprise. The Raiders signed the 15-year veteran as a free agent specifically to mentor Mendoza while providing a steady hand under center.

The Raiders open their NFL season on September 13 at home against the Miami Dolphins.

Cousins Earns the Starting Job

Over his career with four different teams, Cousins has thrown for 44,700 passing yards and 298 touchdowns, with a 96.8 quarterback rating — considered above league average but short of elite.

“He just played really good football,” Kubiak said. “I’m really happy with all three of our quarterbacks. Kirk’s had a really good off-season, a very good camp, and he’s earned it.”

Aidan O’Connell sits third on the team’s depth chart, behind Mendoza.

Mendoza Continues His Development

For Mendoza, the priority remains development. He continues to take first-team snaps in practice, which he did Wednesday (Sept. 2) after coaches gave Cousins a day off.

“There’s early work, late work, more meetings, plenty of time on the field between drills with coach Sullivan and coach Janocko,” Kubiak explained. “We’re just trying to find every edge we can to continue to get him better and his teammates better.”

Mendoza played in all three Raiders preseason games, going 15-for-29 for 143 passing yards, two interceptions, and zero touchdowns (37.0 RTG). Kubiak noted that having a top draft pick competing in camp pushed Cousins to raise his own game.

Injury Update: Jeanty “On the Mend”

In other Raiders news, Kubiak told reporters that running back Ashton Jeanty is recovering from an ankle injury and expressed optimism that Jeanty will play against Miami.

UNLV Rebels Seek Hawaii Rebound

UNLV looks to even their record this weekend in a Mountain West conference matchup against Hawaii, following a 27-21 season-opening loss to Memphis on August 29. The Rebels play at Hawaii on Saturday, September 5, at 10:10 p.m. EST.

Head coach Dan Mullen entered his second season with expectations of contending for the Mountain West title, but the team surrendered 13 unanswered fourth-quarter points and converted only three of 15 third downs. New quarterback Jackson Arnold, an Auburn transfer, was sacked six times but still provided bright spots: 291 passing yards and two touchdowns, plus 54 rushing yards and another score.

UNLV now faces a 0-1 Hawaii team. It’s an early test of whether the Rebels can fix their pass-protection, rushing, and red-zone issues.

Las Vegas Aces Absorb Major Injury

The WNBA is now in its World Cup break, running through September 16. The Las Vegas Aces return to action on September 17 when they visit the Seattle Storm. The break gives coaches time to assess a team sitting third overall at 27-13, having already clinched a playoff berth with four games remaining.

Starting forward NaLyssa Smith is out for the season. She was averaging 11.7 points and 6.4 rebounds while leading the WNBA in field goal percentage (63.8%) before suffering a left leg injury against Toronto. The Aces quickly signed 6-foot-7 center Kalani Brown, adding size and interior depth for the playoffs.

A’ja Wilson was named Western Conference Player of the Month for August after averaging 25 points and 8.8 rebounds over 11 games, leading Las Vegas on a three-game winning streak before the break started August 31.