The Las Vegas Raiders are in a deep hole, riding a brutal four-game losing streak, and everyone’s wondering when it’s time for a change at quarterback. Veteran Kirk Cousins isn’t shying away from that talk, even mentioning 2026 top pick Fernando Mendoza by name as a potential replacement. If a switch needs to happen, Cousins says he’s ready to accept it.
Cousins: “If I’m Not the Best Option…”
Cousins isn’t just saying the right things; he sounds genuinely ready to step aside if it means the team wins. He told reporters after that crushing 35-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams that it’s “really the same every day that it was in March or April,” emphasizing, “if I’m not the best option then I don’t want to be out there, either.” That’s a stand-up quote from a guy staring down the barrel of a benching. He wants the team to have “the best chance to win games” and even claimed he would have spoken up “if that had become apparent” early on. He’s looking at Mendoza, saying he “has done a great job and has a great future ahead.”
The Brutal Schedule and Mendoza Time
It’s not all on Cousins, though. He’s put up decent numbers this season: 1,877 yards, 16 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. The Raiders’ recent slide came against some serious competition, too. They faced the Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, and the Los Angeles Rams during this losing streak. That’s a brutal gauntlet for any team to navigate. Still, Cousins seems to see the writing on the wall, viewing himself as setting “a great example to learn from, until he does go out there eventually.” Talk about a veteran quarterback practically endorsing his replacement.
So what’s next for the Silver and Black? A matchup against the New York Jets could be exactly what the doctor ordered to snap this losing streak. But if that doesn’t happen, if they can’t turn it around next week, then “Mendoza Time” could be more than just speculation. It could be right around the corner, and the pressure is absolutely cranking up in Las Vegas.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply