Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said Monday that Kirk Cousins will start Sunday against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, ending speculation that the team might turn to No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza after a fourth consecutive loss.
Kubiak had said Sunday that all options were on the table to fix the team's struggles, but he clarified a day later that a quarterback change is not among them for this week. Cousins, who leads the NFL with 16 passing touchdowns, will keep the job despite the team's 3-4 start.
Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and national champion from Indiana, has appeared in just one game this season, completing 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards in a blowout loss to New England. He did not play in Sunday's 35-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, a game in which the Raiders trailed 28-6 at halftime.
Only five quarterbacks selected first overall in the common draft era have waited longer than the eighth game to make their first start, while the last six No. 1 picks started Week 1 of their rookie seasons.
Cousins acknowledged his role may be temporary, saying he would be the first to tell coaches if he were not the best option to win. He added that he is focused on playing well and providing a strong example for Mendoza until the rookie eventually takes the field.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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