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Raiders Coach Kubiak Keeps Cousins as Starter, Denies Controversy
Confirmed
In Short: Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak has decided to keep veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins as the starter for the upcoming game against the New York Jets, despite the team's fourth consecutive loss.
Las Vegas Raiders coach Klint Kubiak has decided to keep veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins as the starter for the upcoming game against the New York Jets, despite the team's fourth consecutive loss. Kubiak made this decision clear during a Monday press conference, stating, 'There is no controversy.'
Kubiak praised Cousins' performance in the Monday press conference, noting that the veteran quarterback has been playing some of the best football of his career. Cousins leads the league in passing touchdowns with 16 and is sitting in the top three in passing yards, according to KTNV Las Vegas.
The Raiders' recent loss to the Los Angeles Rams was particularly tough, with the Rams leading 28-6 at halftime and ultimately winning 35-21. Despite this, Kubiak emphasized the need to improve the support around Cousins while continuing to develop rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was drafted first overall this year.
Kubiak's decision to stick with Cousins comes after the Raiders slipped below.500 at 3-4 on the year. The coach said he would consider 'everything' including a quarterback change in the search for improvement, but ultimately decided to keep Cousins as the starter for now.
Cousins, a former fourth-round pick of Washington in 2012, has had a renaissance year with the Raiders. He later departed in free agency for a three-year, $84 million contract with the Vikings before signing a deal with the Raiders that pays him $20 million in 2026, according to NFLTradeRumors.co (Colombia).
During the recent loss to the Rams, Cousins went 26 of 44 for 295 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, with both scores coming in the fourth quarter. Despite the team's struggles, Cousins has thrown for 16 touchdowns and 1,877 yards with just five interceptions through seven games, according to Larry Brown Sports.
Kubiak also addressed the future of Mendoza, stating, 'Fernando is going to play at some point, but it’s not going to be this week,' via Levi Edwards. The coach emphasized that the Raiders are still prioritizing winning the next game on the road against the Jets, even as they plan for the future.
The Raiders' defense has given up at least 27 points in five of the last six games, and the team has struggled to stop the run, giving up more than 100 yards on the ground in six games this season, according to KTNV Las Vegas.
What this adds
The Raiders' decision to keep Cousins as the starter has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some questioning Kubiak's coaching decisions and the team's overall direction.
What's confirmed
- Kirk Cousins will remain the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting quarterback against the New York Jets, but Klint Kubiak is leaving Fernando Mendoza’s eventual opportunity on the table.
- #Raiders coach Klint Kubiak made clear that “there is no controversy” — Kirk Cousins will start this week.
- There is no controversy there." "Kirk [Cousins] is our starting quarterback.
What's still developing
- One logical juncture at which the Raiders could make a change is during their bye week, which does not arrive until Week 13.
- Cousins certainly hasn't been the main issue contributing to this Raiders losing streak, but he's not exactly the solution, either.
- I won't pretend to know more than Kubiak does about NFL offenses or the quarterback position, let alone his offense and his quarterbacks.
- After the Raiders' fourth straight loss on Sunday, Kubiak said he is evaluating everything right now, which sparked a national narrative about whether or not the team will begin preparing for the future and start Fernando Mendoza.
- Kubiak has hinted that he is progressing well behind closed doors, and fans are eager to see that for themselves.
- Mendoza went 6 for 8 for 48 yards in his lone appearance of the season, quarterbacking a late drive in a blowout loss to the New England Patriots.
- Mendoza, who won a national championship and Heisman Trophy at Indiana last season, will not replace Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback when the Raiders play the New York Jets on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.