Aug 26, 2026 · 1h 29m
Raiders’ final audition tests Kubiak’s plan
Raiders Prepping For Important Game vs 49ers
The preseason finale could clarify roster roles, expose unresolved receiving and offensive-line questions, and show whether Clint Kubiak’s emphasis on disciplined execution is taking hold.
- 1Special-teams discipline and safety ball production remain central tests before the Raiders finalize their roster.
- 2The receiving corps and guard competition are unsettled, while quarterback expectations favor Kirk Cousins over Fernando Mendoza.
- 3The Raiders’ top waiver priority gives them a short-term tool for addressing weaknesses after roster decisions.
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JT rejects a caller’s argument for Fernando Mendoza over Kirk Cousins, saying Cousins was signed to compete as the starter.
The brief
JT the Brick opens from Raiders headquarters ahead of the preseason finale, where special-teams execution, roster battles, and the team’s evolving identity take center stage.
Levi Edwards identifies the receiving corps as the biggest remaining question and weighs safety competition between Trayden Stukes and Isaiah Pola-Mao, with ball production still lacking.
Vincent Bonsignore frames the finale as a test of roster roles, starting jobs, and coaching confidence, while examining quarterback uncertainty, offensive-line concerns, and the Raiders’ top waiver priority.
A caller argues Fernando Mendoza should start over Kirk Cousins, but JT says the organization signed Cousins to compete for the job and invested accordingly.
Eric Allen describes Clint Kubiak as mild-mannered but intentional, linking his demand for defensive-back takeaways and receiver aggression to a more efficient offense.
The clearest throughline is execution: Kubiak’s culture will be judged by disciplined special teams, stronger ball production, and how quickly young players master NFL protections and concepts.