Fernando Mendoza’s path to the starting job was one of the biggest questions facing the Las Vegas Raiders entering the season, and Bill Cowher believes Sunday’s result could bring it back to the forefront.
While Kirk Cousins has been performing better than many analysts expected, the Raiders’ back-to-back losses now raise the question of whether a change is warranted.
The Raiders have lost two straight and are 3-2 heading into Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. ET home game against the 4-1 Buffalo Bills at Allegiant Stadium.
Bill Cowher Weighs the Rookie Against the Veteran
The Super Bowl-winning former Pittsburgh Steelers coach and CBS analyst Bill Cowher said on Sunday that a loss to the Bills should push the Raiders to consider a change at quarterback, though he stopped short of calling for an immediate move away from Cousins.
“I would say this, if you lose this game, at 3-3, sometimes a coach needs to think about a spark that they can bring to their offense,” Cowher said.
Cowher, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, then turned to what Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, could offer. “Maybe the athleticism of Fernando Mendoza, the ability to get some experience, it’s going to be a conversation that they are yet to have.”
However, he was quick to give the veteran his due. “Listen, Kirk Cousins has done fine. We all know where the future is. It’s with this kid, there’s nothing like experience.”
SET YOUR LINEUPS:PFN’s Free Fantasy Start/Sit Optimizer
Cousins has thrown for 1,269 yards and four interceptions through five games. His 12 touchdown passes are tied for second in the NFL, and his 100.7 passer rating ranks ninth of 31 qualified quarterbacks. He is also tied at seventh on PFN’s QB Impact Rankings with a grade of 82.0.
Cowher was also careful about the timing. “I’m not saying today, but after three straight losses, I know at some point you need a spark.”
Kirk Cousins Has Held the Job Through Two Straight Losses
Mendoza came to Las Vegas after a Heisman-winning season in which he led Indiana to an undefeated national title.
Despite that, first-year head coach Klint Kubiak named the 38-year-old Cousins the starter before the season, having said earlier that he preferred a veteran to begin the year.
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM:PFN’s Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator
The Raiders opened 3-0, a run capped by a 35-27 win at the New Orleans Saints. They then lost 30-27 at home to the Kansas City Chiefs and 45-17 at the New England Patriots last Sunday, a game in which Cousins was sacked three times.
Mendoza made his NFL debut late in that loss, replacing Cousins with 6:06 remaining. He completed 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards, while his first drive ended when he came up short on a fourth-down scramble in the red zone.
After that game, Kubiak said Cousins was in line to start against Buffalo. On Monday, he repeated that Cousins remains the starter and said he had confidence in Mendoza if the rookie is needed.
Kubiak will decide whether a third straight loss against Buffalo is enough to start the conversation Cowher described.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.