Raiders retain Kirk Cousins as starting quarterback despite four game losing streak

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak announced on Monday that Kirk Cousins will remain the team's starting quarterback. Fox News and the New York Post reported that Kubiak squashed speculation about a benching and opened his weekly press conference by affirming that Cousins will keep the job. The decision comes after the Raiders suffered a 35-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. [1][2][4]

The loss to the Rams was the fourth consecutive defeat for the Raiders after starting the 2026 season 3-0. UPI and the New York Post reported that Cousins completed 26 of 44 attempts for 295 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's game. Despite the team's recent struggles, Cousins leads the NFL with 16 passing touchdowns, according to Fox News. [1][2][3]

Following Sunday's game, Kubiak told reporters that the team was thinking about everything regarding potential changes, according to UPI and the New York Post. However, UPI reported that Kubiak did not consider replacing Cousins during the game itself. Yahoo reported that Kubiak clarified there is no quarterback controversy ahead of the team's upcoming game against the New York Jets. [2][3][10]

The calls for a change centered on rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was selected first overall by the Raiders in the 2026 NFL draft after winning the Heisman Trophy at Indiana. Fox News reported that Mendoza has yet to play in his rookie season, but Kubiak maintains that Cousins gives the Raiders their best chance to win games. [1][4][14][17]