Raiders Keep Kirk Cousins as Week 8 Starter; Fernando Mendoza Will Not Start vs. Jets

Sep 11

3 min read

Updated: 22 hours ago

The Las Vegas Raiders will start Kirk Cousins against the New York Jets in Week 8, and rookie Fernando Mendoza will not play. Head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed the decision after reviewing the Rams loss, ending the immediate quarterback uncertainty without closing the longer development question.

The Week 8 distinction is now firm: Cousins is the starter and Mendoza is not part of the game plan. The Raiders did consider their options after a fourth straight loss, but the review did not produce a change for the Jets matchup. Any Mendoza discussion belongs to future development, not this week's projection.

What Kubiak confirmed for Week 8

NFL.com reported that Kubiak is sticking with Cousins as the starting quarterback for Week 8 against the Jets and that Mendoza will not play. That confirmation supersedes the uncertainty immediately after Las Vegas' 35 to 21 loss to the Rams.

The history still matters. Kubiak had said the staff would consider every way to fix its problems after the Rams game, including personnel, scheme, red zone execution and recurring third quarter issues. The subsequent film review produced continuity at quarterback for this matchup.

Why the confirmed decision matters

Cousins completed 26 of 44 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns against Los Angeles. Through seven games, he has thrown for 1,877 yards, an NFL-leading 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. Those totals do not describe a quarterback who has been nonfunctional.

The strongest counterargument is that another poor start or another red zone failure could reopen the discussion after Week 8. That possibility does not change the current fact. Replacing Cousins now could have added volatility without fixing the Raiders' run game, defense or situational execution, while his passing production gives the offense a credible reason to stay with the veteran.

Cousins also told reporters that he wants the team to have its best chance to win and would acknowledge if the coaches concluded he was no longer that option. That answer recognizes the reality of having the No. 1 overall pick behind him without volunteering to leave the lineup.

What it means for Fernando Mendoza

Mendoza remains the developmental quarterback behind Cousins. The Raiders used the first overall pick on him and have continued to develop him, but the team has announced no public timetable for his first start. Kubiak's Week 8 decision means the rookie should not be projected for snaps against the Jets.

Football Nation's earlier review of Mendoza's preseason pick-six concluded that one mistake should not rewrite the development plan. The same principle applies now: one difficult half from Cousins should not automatically force the rookie onto the field. The case for Mendoza has to be about readiness, not frustration.

The confirmed plan also clarifies the supporting cast. Tre Tucker and Brock Bowers retain their established timing with Cousins, while Ashton Jeanty's receiving role remains the clearest way to protect his fantasy floor when the rushing game stalls. Mendoza's movement ability is future context, not a Week 8 schematic assumption.

Fantasy football impact

Kirk Cousins: He remains usable in superflex and two quarterback leagues because the Week 8 start is confirmed. His volume and touchdown production matter, though future job security still depends on offensive results.
Fernando Mendoza: He is a developmental stash in superflex formats, not a Week 8 starter or prop option. There is no public timetable for his first start.
Ashton Jeanty: The quarterback decision preserves the current receiving framework. His passing game usage supports half PPR value even when rushing efficiency is poor.
Tre Tucker and Brock Bowers: Both keep the familiar target structure with Cousins. Tucker supplies the field stretching role, while Bowers remains a primary answer against pressure.

What should the Raiders do?

Football Nation's conclusion: keeping Cousins for the Jets game is the defensible decision. His passing production is too substantial to ignore, and Las Vegas' defense, run game and red zone execution have all contributed to the losing streak. The decision also avoids forcing Mendoza into the same structural problems before the team believes he is ready.

The counterargument is that continuing with the veteran delays useful development if the season keeps sliding. That case becomes stronger only after another confirmed failure or a readiness signal from the staff. It does not support presenting Mendoza as a Week 8 candidate after Kubiak explicitly ruled him out.

Next checkpoint

Watch Cousins' protection, third down decisions and red zone execution against the Jets. After the game, Kubiak's review and the following week's practice plan become the next legitimate quarterback checkpoints. Until the Raiders announce otherwise, Mendoza has no public start date.

Reporting cutoff: October 27, 2026 at 4:36 AM CDT. Comparison period: the Raiders' 2026 season through Week 7. Kubiak's Week 8 confirmation is reported fact. Fantasy consequences, the long term development discussion and Football Nation's evaluation are analysis.