Mendoza Meter: Kirk Cousins must be done as Raiders’ starting QB after Week 9

Writer Brad Berreman argues that the Las Vegas Raiders must bench starting quarterback Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Fernando Mendoza. The call for a quarterback change follows Las Vegas's 38-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 9, marking the Raiders' fifth defeat across their last six games after an initial 3-0 start to the 2026 season.

Berreman notes that Cousins struggled with multiple turnovers in the loss, including a pick-six, and believes head coach Klint Kubiak should start Mendoza against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 10. The article highlights that Seattle is dealing with quarterback injuries to both Sam Darnold and Drew Lock, which Berreman suggests creates an ideal opportunity for Mendoza's first career NFL start.