Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak sticks with Kirk Cousins after the recent brutal loss, takes responsibility, and shares his thoughts on prized rookie Fernando Mendoza.
Kubiak said Monday that Cousins remains the team’s starting quarterback. He praised Mendoza’s first regular-season action and took responsibility for the 45-17 loss to the Patriots.
“Kirk’s the starter, and if Fernando’s called upon, he’ll be ready to go just like he was yesterday,” Kubiak said. He said Mendoza was prepared, played fast and got through his progressions quickly, calling it “a solid start.”
Kubiak did not spare himself when asked about the offense, which scored on three of 11 possessions. “I just didn’t have a good plan for our guys,” he said, adding that the Raiders fell behind early and could not get the run game going. “It starts with me.”
Impressions of Fernando Mendoza?
It should be noted that Mendoza’s snaps came with most of the original starters on the bench by the time his name was called. Still, being on the road, Kubiak called it a “very positive experience” for the rookie.
That gives Mendoza live tape and cements his place as the clear No. 2 on the depth chart, one injury or one more bad Sunday from the job.
Related: Fernando Mendoza might’ve just complicated the Raiders’ QB plans
The money matters, too. Mendoza is on a rookie contract, while Cousins is a veteran starter. His deal makes any benching a financial decision as well as a competitive one. The longer Las Vegas waits, the more it pays for a quarterback whose limitations on deep throws and mobility have narrowed Kubiak’s playbook.
Kubiak also left himself little room to retreat. By taking the blame for the game plan rather than pointing at his quarterback, he protected Cousins for now. The next poor offensive outing will be harder to explain away.
If the offense sputters again against a quality defense, expect Mendoza to get a longer look within the next few weeks.
Should the Raiders stay with Cousins or see what Mendoza can do as the starter?
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images