Raiders Keep Kirk Cousins Starting After 4 Straight Losses as No. 1 Pick Fernando Mendoza Waits
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 26
Raiders Keep Kirk Cousins Starting After 4 Straight Losses as No. 1 Pick Fernando Mendoza Waits
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 26
Summary
Klint Kubiak said Kirk Cousins will start Sunday at the 2-5 Jets, ending speculation that Las Vegas might turn to rookie Fernando Mendoza after a 35-21 loss to the Rams.
4 straight defeats have followed the Raiders' 3-0 start, but Kubiak said Cousins is "playing at a very high level" and that the team must improve around him.
16 touchdown passes lead the NFL for Cousins, who is also third in passing yards at 1,877 with a 62.6% completion rate, five interceptions and a 97.4 rating through seven games.
Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, has not played yet; Kubiak said he will "play at some point" but ruled him out for this week.
Las Vegas remains "in the hunt" in Kubiak's view, making the Jets game the next test of whether the Raiders stay with their veteran plan or revisit the quarterback debate.