Raiders Face Growing Calls to Replace Cousins With Mendoza

WHO:

Newsweek - The Las Vegas Raiders are considering a move involving Fernando Mendoza.

Pro Football Network - Calls have mounted for the Raiders to start Fernando Mendoza, with some critics saying Kirk Cousins is “Too Old” and “Hurting This Offense.”

Heavy NFL - Kirk Cousins could be benched in favor of Fernando Mendoza, despite Cousins playing well, according to the article.

Draft Sharks - Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak was asked whether he would consider switching quarterbacks to rookie Fernando Mendoza.

Heavy NFL - Klint Kubiak was asked about Fernando Mendoza amid calls to consider major changes.

WHAT:

NY Post - Klint Kubiak affirmed that Kirk Cousins remained the Raiders’ starting quarterback, saying he believed Cousins gave the team its best chance to win.

CBS Sports - Coach Klint Kubiak said the Raiders need to review film and discuss “everything,” including fixes to red-zone and third-quarter problems, personnel, and scheme.

NY Post - An article argued the Raiders should weigh salvaging a fading playoff chance against developing a player who could help the team become a playoff contender for years.

CBS Sports - The Raiders fell below .500 for the first time in 2026 after their 35-21 loss to the Rams.

CBS Sports - Kirk Cousins completed 67.4% of his passes with 220.3 passing yards per game, 7.2 yards per attempt, a 107.2 passer rating and a 9-3 touchdown-interception record over the Raiders’ first three games. Across the next four games, he completed 60% of his passes with 304.0 passing yards per game, 7.4 yards per attempt, a 91.9 passer rating and a 7-2 touchdown-interception record.

CBS Sports - The Raiders’ defense allowed 18.0 points and 316.7 yards per game and recorded nine takeaways over the first three games; during the next four, it allowed 35.8 points and 416.5 yards per game, gave up 11 passing touchdowns and recorded three takeaways.

CBS Sports - Fernando Mendoza made his NFL debut in Week 5, playing in garbage time during a loss to the Patriots. Kubiak said there was no consideration of putting Mendoza into the Rams game’s second half.

CBS Sports - The Raiders’ defense faced Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford during the four-game losing streak.

CBS Sports - The Raiders have four of their next five games on the road before their Week 13 bye.

NBC Sports - The Raiders lost 35-21 to the Rams.

NBC Sports - Kirk Cousins said he did not want to play if he was not the best option: “If I’m not the best option then I don’t want to be out there, either.”

NBC Sports - Cousins said Fernando Mendoza had “done a great job and has a great future ahead,” and that he aims to help the team win while giving Mendoza an example to learn from.

NY Post - Klint Kubiak said, “At this point we’re thinking about everything,” when asked whether the Raiders could start Fernando Mendoza.

Newsweek - The Raiders lost their fourth consecutive game, a loss to the Rams, and are considering a major move involving Mendoza.

Pro Football Network - Kirk Cousins did not put up points in the Raiders’ fourth straight loss; some people are calling for Mendoza to take over the quarterback job.

Heavy NFL - The Raiders have continued to lose, and the team could turn to Mendoza.

Draft Sharks - Kubiak was asked after the loss to the Rams whether he would consider a quarterback change to rookie Mendoza. His quoted response is incomplete in the supplied article excerpt: “I think at this poi”

Heavy NFL - The Raiders have lost four in a row, prompting consideration of major changes.

WHERE:

Newsweek - The team involved is the Las Vegas Raiders.

Pro Football Network - The Raiders’ loss and quarterback discussion concern Las Vegas.

Draft Sharks - The Raiders’ post-loss quarterback discussion followed a game against the Rams.

WHY:

NY Post - Kubiak said he intended to keep trying to win games, while Fernando Mendoza’s development remained a future priority.

CBS Sports - The article said poor defensive play should factor into any decision about changing quarterbacks, since putting Fernando Mendoza into games with poor defensive support could leave him repeatedly trying to keep the team competitive and hinder his development.

NBC Sports - Cousins said the organization would do what it felt was best for the team and that he would have acknowledged if he was not the best option, even during the first OTA.

NY Post - The Raiders began the season 3-0 before losing their next four games, a stretch that has put Kirk Cousins’ job security under pressure.

Newsweek - The Raiders’ fourth consecutive loss is the stated context for considering a move involving Mendoza.

Pro Football Network - Calls to replace Cousins followed the team’s fourth straight loss and his failure to put up points in that game.

Heavy NFL - The possibility of turning to Mendoza comes amid the Raiders’ continuing losses.

HOW:

NBC Sports - Cousins said his approach to the quarterback competition had not changed since March or April.

Pro Football Network - Calls for Mendoza to start were expressed by unnamed critics, including the quoted criticism of Cousins.

Draft Sharks - The quarterback-change question was put to Kubiak after the Raiders’ loss to the Rams.

The Las Vegas Raiders have lost four straight, including a 35-to-21 defeat to the Rams, and calls are growing for rookie Fernando Mendoza to replace Kirk Cousins at quarterback. Coach Klint Kubiak said Cousins remains the starter because he gives the team its best chance to win, while also saying the Raiders need to review everything, from personnel and scheme to their red-zone and third-quarter struggles. Cousins said he wants the best option to play and praised Mendoza’s work and potential, as the Raiders look to turn things around with four of their next five games on the road.