There’s no quarterback controversy for the Las Vegas Raiders this week, at least not according to head coach Klint Kubiak. He kicked off his Monday press conference by flat-out stating that Kirk Cousins will be the starter for their Week 8 game against the Jets. This came just a day after Kubiak told reporters the team was “thinking about everything to fix our problems” when asked about potentially turning to rookie Fernando Mendoza. So much for “thinking about everything,” huh?
“No Controversy There” Says Kubiak, After 28-3 Deficit
Kubiak didn’t just confirm Cousins, he doubled down on the commitment, saying “There is no controversy there.” He even went as far as to claim Cousins is “playing at a very high level.” According to the coach, Cousins “has gotta continue to do that for us to win and we gotta keep helping all the areas around him.” He wrapped up that thought expressing excitement “for him to go play against the Jets.” While Kubiak did mention that Mendoza is “going to play at some point,” he clearly wants to send a message that the job is Cousins’ for now.
“Very High Level” Includes Playing From Behind
Now, let’s talk about what that “very high level” looked like just this past Sunday. The Raiders took a 35-21 loss to the Rams. Cousins’ stat line was 26-of-44 for 295 yards and two touchdowns. Sounds okay, right? Except most of that damage came *after* the Raiders were already staring down a brutal 28-3 deficit in the first half. The Raiders currently sit at a 3-4 record, and Kubiak claims they are still “in the hunt.” Being “in the hunt” while falling behind by four scores against the Rams definitely puts that “very high level” comment in a new light.
So, get ready for more Kirk Cousins in Week 8. The Raiders are facing the Jets, still trying to prove they are truly “in the hunt.” Cousins will need to deliver on that “very high level” from the jump, not just when the game is already out of reach. We’ll see if Kubiak’s confidence pays off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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