Following four consecutive losses that dropped their record to 3-4, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak acknowledged on October 25, 2026, that sweeping changes are under consideration, including potentially benching veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie first-round pick Fernando Mendoza.
With the team’s offensive rhythm faltering, head coach Klint Kubiak addressed reporters regarding the possibility of a quarterback change to get back on track. The franchise faces pressure from a restless fanbase and a demanding schedule.
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak on potentially starting Fernando Mendoza after a 4th loss in a row and why the team seemed to come out flat in a home loss to the Los Angeles Rams.🎥: By @Sean_Zittel pic.twitter.com/jPBaGxjwwn
Kubiak Evaluates Personnel After Four-Game Skid
The swift reversal of fortune has forced the coaching staff to re-evaluate every facet of the team. Kubiak noted that the team is thinking about everything as mounting issues in the red zone and third quarters take a toll on the standings. Las Vegas is just the third team in the past 10 seasons to start 3-0 or better and then lose four straight games, following the 2021 Broncos and Panthers. The defensive unit has struggled during the skid, allowing an average of 35.8 points and 416.5 yards per game since Week 4. Against Los Angeles, the defense gave up 386 total yards, including 199 on the ground, with Rams running backs Blake Corum and Kyren Williams each rushing for over 90 yards.
I think at this point, we’re thinking about everything to fix our problems, how to fix our issues in the red zone, in the third quarter, personnel [and] scheme. We’ve got to talk about all of it.
Klint Kubiak, Raiders Head Coach
Against the Rams, Cousins completed 26 of 44 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns, completing just under 60 percent of his throws (59.1%) with a passer rating of 94.4. Los Angeles blitzed Cousins on 29.2 percent of his dropbacks, sacking him twice and pressuring him 19 times.
Raiders QB Kirk Cousins on eventually ceding his position as starter to Fernando Mendoza, following the team’s 4th straight loss. 🎥: By @Sean_Zittel pic.twitter.com/SS0xYItSIg
Starting running back Ashton Jeanty had 61 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Rams, but he averaged only 1.9 rushing yards on eight attempts.
You can’t win in this league having to throw it as much as we are throwing. If there’s no balance, then you are playing from behind.
Klint Kubiak, Raiders Head Coach
Cousins Addresses Looming Transition to Mendoza
Fernando Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and national champion from Indiana selected No. 1 overall in the draft, has spent the season playing the scout-team quarterback while practicing behind Cousins. Mendoza made his regular-season debut on October 11 during a Week 4 road loss to the New England Patriots, entering late in the fourth quarter and finishing 6 of 8 passing for 48 yards. While no formal announcement has fixed the exact date for a quarterback transition, Cousins understands the long-term vision of the organization and maintains a pragmatic stance regarding his job security, noting nothing has changed with his mentality since signing a one-year deal with the team in April.
If I’m not the best option, then I don’t want to be out there, either. I want our football team to have the best chance to win games, and if [in] the first OTA if that had become apparent, I would have been the first one to say, ‘Yeah, you can’t play me.’
Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders Quarterback
Cousins added that he plans to keep playing as well as possible to help the team win while serving as a positive example for the rookie until the coaching staff makes its move.
Raiders Weigh Roster Decisions Ahead
The immediate future of the franchise hinges on upcoming matchups, beginning with a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium next week, followed by games against the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Denver Broncos. Roster management also presents a tight window, as trading Kirk Cousins before the November 10 trade deadline remains a logical consideration for the front office should they decide to hand the offensive reins permanently to Mendoza to expedite his development while setting up the franchise for the draft.
| Quarterback | 2026 Stats / Status | Draft / Background |
|---|---|---|
| Kirk Cousins | 1,877 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, 5 interceptions | 15-year veteran signed in April |
| Fernando Mendoza | 6-of-8 passing for 48 yards in one appearance | No. 1 overall pick, Heisman Trophy winner |
Catch the Raiders in Week 8 at MetLife Stadium to see if deploying the rookie can revitalize a fanbase and salvage a campaign that quickly moved from early promise to mounting urgency.
When should the Raiders start Fernando Mendoza?@CowherCBS: "If you lose this game, sometimes a coach needs to think about a spark that they can bring to their offense." pic.twitter.com/OnKECITcP4
More on Klint Kubiak
.@AdamHillLVRJ wrote about how Fernando Mendoza is approaching his development seven weeks into his rookie season: https://t.co/qR8DWjXL7L
If the score keeps up, the @Raiders have to get Fernando Mendoza on the field today. No sense in wasting a chance for him to get playing time.
Amid a four-game losing streak, #Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said the team is evaluating everything, including looking toward the future and starting No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza over Kirk Cousins.“We're thinking about everything to fix our problems.” https://t.co/YaK2pgFRXh
After dropping their fourth straight game, Kubiak was asked whether it’s getting to the point, where #Raiders look towards the future and play Mendoza. Here is his response: “We have to go watch the film, and I think at this point, we're thinking about everything to fix our…