Cousins is having a prolific start to the 2026 season. The 38-year-old signal-caller leads the NFL with 16 touchdown passes through seven weeks, completing 62.6% of his passes for 1,877 yards (third in NFL) and throwing five interceptions (T-eighth).
However, after a 3-0 start, the Raiders have lost four straight with Cousins at the helm to playoff-caliber opponents by a combined score of 143-95. While the passing office is top-10 in the league, Las Vegas' ground game, paced by [Ashton Jeanty](/players/ashton-jeanty), is ranked 31st in yards per game, and the Raiders defense ranks 29th in points and yards surrendered.
In short, the Raiders' issues so far are everything but Cousins.
Las Vegas' Week 8 game against a similarly situated opponent in the 2-5 Jets appeared on paper like the perfect opportunity to ease Mendoza into the starting role. The rookie has completed 6 of 8 attempts for 48 yards in his lone substitute appearance this season (Week 5 at New England).
But with Cousins and the passing game one of the net positives for the Raiders through seven weeks, Kubiak and Co. will let it ride with the veteran in Las Vegas for at least another week.