Raiders stay with Kirk Cousins at QB after fourth straight loss, Mendoza's start put off
After a 35-21 home loss to the Rams, the Raiders' fourth in a row, coach Klint Kubiak first said everything was under review, then confirmed Kirk Cousins will start at the Jets and that rookie Fernando Mendoza will play "at some point", but not that week.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2The Los Angeles Rams beat the Las Vegas Raiders 35-21 at Allegiant Stadium on Oct. 25, the Raiders' fourth straight loss, which left them 3-4 after a 3-0 start. NewsweekN “The Los Angeles Rams beat the Las Vegas Raiders 35-21 at Allegiant Stadium on Oct. 25, dropping head coach Klint Kubiak’s club to 3-4.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Fox NewsR “But the Raiders have lost their last four games, including their most recent 35-21 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams” Read at Fox News ↗ Centre · 1Las Vegas had planned to start veteran Kirk Cousins all season while No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza learned behind him and got a chance to start in 2027. NewsweekN “The initial plan for the Raiders was to start Kirk Cousins at quarterback for the entire season, with No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza learning behind the veteran before getting an opportunity to start in 2027.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1In his postgame news conference, first-year head coach Klint Kubiak was asked about speeding up Mendoza's timeline and said the team was "thinking about everything", including the red zone, the third quarter, personnel and scheme. Newsweek read this as a sign that a quarterback change was possible. NewsweekN “"I think we have to go watch the film," Kubiak said. "I think at this point... we're thinking about everything”“Kubiak suggested the Raiders would consider making a change at quarterback in the near future” Read at Newsweek ↗
Centre · 1Cousins, 38, went 26 of 44 for 295 yards and two touchdowns against the Rams. The Raiders trailed 28-6 at halftime, when he was 7 of 12 for 39 yards, and their first touchdown came on a 37-yard pass to Tre Tucker in the final quarter. NewsweekN “Cousins went 26 of 44 for 295 yards and two touchdowns, mostly after halftime.”“The offense’s first touchdown came on a 37-yard strike to Tre Tucker in the final quarter.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1Asked about Mendoza, Cousins said his stance had not changed since the spring: if he is not the best option, he does not want to be on the field. He also said Mendoza has "done a great job and has a great future ahead". NewsweekN ““I mean, nothing changes in the sense that if I’m not the best option then I don’t want to be out there, either,” Cousins said.”““I feel that, you know, Fernando’s done a great job and has a great future ahead,” Cousins said.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Mixed · 2On Monday Kubiak said Cousins will remain the starter in Week 8 at the New York Jets, and that Mendoza will "eventually" play but not that week. Newsweek's headline says the Raiders have "no controversy" at quarterback. NewsweekN “Kubiak declared Monday that the 38-year-old four-time Pro Bowler will remain QB1 in Week 8 when Las Vegas plays the New York Jets on the road.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Fox NewsR “"Fernando is going to play at some point. It’s not going to be this week," Kubiak said.” Read at Fox News ↗
Right · 1Kubiak said Cousins is "playing at a very high level" and "really well", adding "we’re in the hunt" and that the team must keep developing Mendoza. Fox NewsR “"[Cousins is] playing at a very high level, and he’s got to continue to do that for us to win,"”“"Kirk is playing really well, and we’re in the hunt," Kubiak added.” Read at Fox News ↗ Centre · 1Cousins's numbers support the decision: through seven games he has a league-leading 16 touchdown passes, 1,877 yards (third in the NFL), five interceptions, a 62.6% completion rate and a 97.4 passer rating. He has thrown 10 touchdowns and two interceptions in the last five games. NewsweekN “The 15th-year pro has recorded a 62.6% completion percentage with 1,877 passing yards, a league-leading 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in seven games this year, good for a 97.4 passer rating.”“Cousins has been particularly good in the last five games (despite the four defeats), posting 10 touchdown passes and just two interceptions.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1Mendoza made his NFL debut in the Week 5 loss to New England, a 45-17 defeat. He went 6 of 8 for 48 yards on one drive that ended in a turnover on downs, and Cousins returned as the starter in Week 6. NewsweekN “Mendoza received brief playing time in the Raiders' 45-17 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 5. He went 6 of 8 passing for 48 yards.” Read at Newsweek ↗ NewsweekN “Cousins was back as the starter in Week 6 and nearly led Las Vegas to an upset win against the Buffalo Bills.” Read at Newsweek ↗
Centre · 1Newsweek noted that the Raiders are still in playoff contention, that their three wins came against teams with a combined three wins, and that they lost to Kansas City and Buffalo by a combined six points. It also said it is unclear how competitive they would be with a rookie. NewsweekN “The Raiders are still in playoff contention. Their first three wins came against the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, and New Orleans Saints, who have a combined three wins on the season.”“It remains to be seen how competitive they'd be with a rookie quarterback.” Read at Newsweek ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Newsweek's coverage moved over the day from a speculative 'extreme move' piece to Cousins's response and then Kubiak's confirmation that Cousins keeps the job.
- Emphasis
- Kubiak's initial openness to change, Cousins's reaction, and Cousins's statistics and the team's playoff chances.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not report fan pressure for a Mendoza debut, which Fox mentions.
- Charged language
- “Extreme Fernando Mendoza Move”“No Controversy”
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Fox News (OutKick) reports that Kubiak shut down the speculation, argues the numbers favour Cousins, and suggests the question could return if the Raiders lose to the Jets.
- Emphasis
- Kubiak's quotes on Cousins, fans calling for Mendoza, and the Jets' 2-5 record.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Cousins's own comments on the Mendoza question or Mendoza's Week 5 stats. Its headline wrongly says 'win streak' for what the text describes as a four-game losing streak.
- Charged language
- “squashed that speculation”“So, that settles it”“Sin City”“new regime”
What every side reports
- The Rams beat the Raiders 35-21, the Raiders' fourth straight loss.
- Kirk Cousins will start at the New York Jets in Week 8.
- Cousins leads the NFL with 16 touchdown passes and is third in passing yards (1,877).
- Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 pick in 2026, has played only briefly, in Week 5, and will play 'at some point' but not against the Jets.
Where accounts differ
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Whether a quarterback change was a real prospect after the loss
- Centre
- Newsweek's first article read Kubiak's 'thinking about everything' as a sign the team would consider a change, but later pieces said he did not rule it out and then confirmed Cousins as the starter.
- Right
- Fox says some 'begged the question' and that Kubiak 'squashed that speculation', while noting he had invited the debate.
Klint Kubiak person
Kubiak first said everything was under review after the loss, then said Cousins is playing at a high level and will start against the Jets, with Mendoza to play 'at some point'.
“"Kirk is playing really well, and we’re in the hunt," Kubiak added.” — Fox News
“we're thinking about everything, how to fix our problems” — Newsweek
Kirk Cousins person
Cousins says he would step aside if he were not the best option, and he praises Mendoza.
““I mean, nothing changes in the sense that if I’m not the best option then I don’t want to be out there, either,” Cousins said.” — Newsweek
Fernando Mendoza person
Mendoza has not commented in the coverage. He is described as the No. 1 pick who has played one drive in his rookie season and is being developed behind Cousins.
“Mendoza made his NFL debut during the fourth quarter of the Raiders' blowout loss against the New England Patriots in Week 5” — Newsweek
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre3 articles
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Raiders Consider Making Extreme Fernando Mendoza Move After Loss to Rams
Mixed Speculative piece presenting a quarterback change as under consideration, while noting the case for Cousins.
-
Raiders QB Kirk Cousins Gives Honest Answer on Fernando Mendoza Taking His Job
Sympathetic Presents Cousins as gracious and his statistics as strong, with the decision left to Kubiak.
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Raiders Have 'No Controversy,' Make QB Decision Amid Losing Streak
Neutral Reports Kubiak's decision to keep Cousins, backed by Cousins's numbers.
Right1 article
-
Mixed Says the matter is settled in Cousins's favour on the numbers, but suggests it could be revisited after a loss to the Jets.
- 26 Oct 01:00 First NewsweekN Raiders Consider Making Extreme Fernando Mendoza Move After Loss to Rams
- 26 Oct 15:08 +14h 8m NewsweekN Raiders QB Kirk Cousins Gives Honest Answer on Fernando Mendoza Taking His Job
- 26 Oct 20:47 +19h 48m NewsweekN Raiders Have 'No Controversy,' Make QB Decision Amid Losing Streak
- 26 Oct 23:50 +22h 51m Fox NewsR Raiders coach keeping Kirk Cousins as starting QB despite 4-game win streak, top pick Fernando Mendoza waiting
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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