The news

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak told reporters Monday that Kirk Cousins will remain the team's starting quarterback, per @AdamSchefter. Kubiak brought it up at the start of his press conference, before anyone had asked about the position.

"There is no controversy," Kubiak said. He also praised Cousins for playing at a very high level.

Kubiak said the rookie behind Cousins, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, will take the field at some point. He ruled out a quarterback change this week, though. Cousins will start Sunday's road game against the New York Jets.

Prior context

Talk of a switch picked up after Sunday's 35-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The loss dropped Las Vegas to 3-4, its fourth defeat in a row, and left the club as the 10th seed.

Before Monday, Kubiak had said the staff was evaluating everything at quarterback, including looking toward the future with the rookie. He also said there is a plan for the rookie to play, without giving a timeline. Those comments set up Monday's announcement.

Cousins won the job over the rookie in training camp and was the opening-day starter. He has been the starter since camp opened in July, and the top draft pick has been the backup through the first part of the 2026 regular season.

After Sunday's loss, Cousins was asked about the eventual handoff to the rookie. He said the Raiders should play whichever quarterback gives them the best chance to win, whoever holds the QB1 role.

The two quarterbacks came into the league very differently. Cousins was a fourth-round pick in 2012, 102nd overall. His successor-in-waiting went first overall in 2026. In 2025, Cousins played 10 games for his previous club and went 166-of-269 for 1,721 yards, with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions.

What it means

Kubiak's statement shuts down talk of a midseason change for now, and the veteran stays in charge of the offense. Kubiak didn't wait for the question. He chose to answer it before the week's preparation started.

His backing rests on numbers. Cousins leads the NFL with 16 touchdown passes. Two quarterbacks are next with 15 each, and three more have 14. That puts five challengers within two scores of first place.

Cousins is also third in the league in passing yards, sixth in attempts and seventh in completions. He has completed 62.6% of his passes and thrown five interceptions.

The team's results haven't matched those numbers. Las Vegas has lost four straight and is sliding out of the playoff picture, which makes the quarterback timeline more urgent. Starting the No. 1 pick would turn the offense toward the club's long-term future. For now, the staff is choosing Cousins' production over that shift.

Cousins' public stance helps too. By deferring on the QB1 question, he gives the staff room to make the call when it chooses, without the decision turning into a standoff.

What reporters are saying

Cousins will stay the starter for now while the rookie waits for his chance, per @MikeGarafolo. That report followed Kubiak's earlier comments that the team is evaluating everything at the position.

The rookie's time is coming, "just not right now," per @RapSheet, who added that Cousins is still the Raiders' starter.

@AlbertBreer praised Cousins' answer about the succession plan, calling it "a really good answer."

Cousins leads the NFL in touchdown passes and is third in passing yards, per @JamesPalmerTV. @PFF also pointed out that he sits atop the league's passing touchdown leaderboard.

What to watch next

Cousins leads the offense into Week 8 at the New York Jets. The Jets were recently edged 28-25 at home in an AFC East game. Their quarterback threw for 287 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in that loss.

Kubiak has said the rookie will play, but he hasn't said when. Every week the losing streak continues will bring the question back, and the staff is still weighing when to hand over the job.

The touchdown race is the other thing to watch. Cousins holds first place alone with five passers within two scores, so Sunday could move the top of the leaderboard.

Companion to our earlier report: Klint Kubiak confirms Kirk Cousins remains Raiders starting quarterback.