Klint Kubiak Names Kirk Cousins Starter Against New York Jets

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak announced that Kirk Cousins remains the team’s starting quarterback for Week 8 against the New York Jets, dismissing potential quarterback controversy after a 35-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams dropped the team to 3-4 on October 25, 2026.

The Las Vegas Raiders hit a rough patch after starting their campaign with three straight wins, dropping four consecutive games and falling below the .500 mark for the first time this season following their defeat against the Los Angeles Rams at Allegiant Stadium. The skid has fueled intense speculation over whether the organization will bench veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in favor of first-overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza.

Klint Kubiak Dismisses Controversy and Names Kirk Cousins Starter Against the New York Jets

Addressing reporters in his Monday press conference, Kubiak made it clear that no quarterback change is imminent for the upcoming matchup against the Jets at MetLife Stadium. Despite initially leaving the door open immediately after Sunday’s loss by stating that the staff was thinking about everything to fix red-zone and third-quarter struggles, the head coach firmly planted his flag behind the veteran under center.

There is no controversy there. He’s playing at a very high level. He’s gotta continue to do that for us to win and we gotta keep helping all the areas around him. Excited for him to go play against the Jets.

Klint Kubiak, Las Vegas Raiders head coach

Cousins finished Sunday’s game completing 26 of 44 pass attempts for 295 yards and two touchdowns, though much of that production accumulated after the Raiders fell behind 28-3 in the first half. Through seven starts, Cousins has thrown for 1,877 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions. His 16 touchdown passes tie him with Daryle Lamonica and Jeff George for the most by any player in their first seven games with the Raiders all-time.

Evaluating the Case for Fernando Mendoza and Roster Decisions Before the Trade Deadline

While Kubiak has committed to Cousins for the immediate future, outside analysts and observers point out that the team’s trajectory might ultimately force a pivot. Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner and national champion from Indiana selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, signed a four-year, $57.271 million fully guaranteed rookie contract featuring a $38.112 million signing bonus. He has appeared in just one game this season, completing six of eight passes for 48 yards against the New England Patriots.

Some commentators argue—given a daunting upcoming schedule that includes the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Denver Broncos—gaining game reps for Mendoza would better serve the franchise’s long-term timeline than riding out the season with a 38-year-old stopgap quarterback. A switch before the November 10 trade deadline could allow Las Vegas to acquire draft capital by trading Cousins to a quarterback-needy contender.

Kirk Cousins and Ownership Perspective on the Franchise Transition

Cousins has maintained a pragmatic stance regarding his status, emphasizing that his primary goal is helping the team win games. Speaking after the Week 7 loss, the veteran quarterback explained that his outlook has not shifted since he joined the club.

I want the football team to have the best chance to win games, and [during] the first OTA [practice], if that had become apparent, I would’ve been the first one to say, ‘Yeah, you can’t play me.’

Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback

Raiders owner Mark Davis expressed strong admiration for Mendoza’s work habits and competitive nature during an exclusive interview with the New York Post, while noting that the timing of when the rookie takes over will be left entirely in the hands of the coaching staff and personnel developers.

Cousins has experienced a statistical dip across the current four-game skid compared to his hot start in September, though defensive struggles and a stagnant running game—where Ashton Jeanty managed just 15 yards on eight carries against the Rams—have compounded the team’s difficulties.

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