Raiders’ Coach Kubiak Sticks with Cousins Amid Losing Streak

The Raiders are looking ahead, preparing for the future. However, Coach Klint Kubiak has made it clear he still aims to win games now.

In a recent press conference, Kubiak emphasized that Kirk Cousins remains their starting quarterback, dismissing any talk of a change. “Kirk is our starting quarterback,” he stated. “There is no controversy.”

Fernando Mendoza will have his chance eventually, but it won’t be this week.

This decision addresses an urgent question for a team that has lost four straight games, heightening discussions about making a shift at quarterback. With a record of 3-4, the Raiders are grappling with the challenge of salvaging their current season while also developing the quarterback who could shape their future.

Kubiak’s choice suggests he is prioritizing winning right now.

Next up are the Jets, a team they can potentially beat. With the opportunity to even their record and set themselves up for a playoff run in the remaining nine games, the plan is to continue with Cousins.

This means sticking with Cousins, whose experience and understanding of the offense are crucial, even if convincing others to maintain this choice is becoming tougher due to results.

The Raiders selected Mendoza first overall to shift their franchise’s future, but each week he spends on the bench is time away from valuable game experience crucial for his growth.

Yet Kubiak’s reasoning focuses on the immediate goal: there’s still a season to salvage, and he believes in pursuing it with the seasoned quarterback.

This doesn’t eliminate concerns about an offense that struggles, particularly in the red zone and after halftime. Furthermore, discussions around whether Mendoza’s agility and potential could inject some much-needed energy into the lineup continue to circulate.

However, Kubiak is not yet prepared to make that leap.

“Eventually, Fernando is gonna play football,” he said. “We have a plan.”

Kubiak also provided clarity following the loss to the Rams, recognizing the need to evaluate all aspects of the team, including personnel and strategy, to address their growing issues.

Quarterback was undoubtedly part of that conversation, but by Monday, Kubiak had set his stance for the week ahead.

The challenge now is for the decision to lead to something more than just knowing who will start. Cousins alone can’t fix the defense, which has been allowing too many rushing yards. A switch at quarterback won’t single-handedly resolve the team’s challenges. The Raiders’ losing streak touches multiple areas, and simplifying it to one position overlooks the bigger picture.

Regardless, keeping Cousins aligns the decision with Kubiak’s established priorities. If the goal is to win now while waiting on Mendoza, the team needs to start delivering victories.

If not, it will become increasingly difficult to justify patience, and the future will be hard to keep on the sidelines.