ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Raiders plan to start Kirk Cousins “as long as possible.”

01 November 2026

Schefter added that the team does not feel their current four-game losing streak is the fault of Cousins. He threw for nine touchdowns in the first three games, all of which the Raiders won. Cousins has just seven touchdowns over his past four outings, though he has only thrown two interceptions and taken just five sacks during that stretch. The Raiders are probably right to lay the blame elsewhere. Still, No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is waiting in the wings. He is the future of the franchise, and his time grows closer with every Raiders loss. Vegas takes on the Jets this week. They then get a gauntlet of San Francisco, Seattle, and Denver. A 0-3 run that late in the season would likely spell the end of Cousins as their starter.