# NFL news, live updates: Raiders considering changes; Christian McCaffrey will be 'alright' after thigh injury

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-10-26 15:20 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
The Raiders weigh a quarterback change to Fernando Mendoza over Kirk Cousins following their fourth straight loss.

## Intelligence Brief
Recent sports coverage from outlets including ProFootballRumors.com, Yahoo Sports, and The New York Times details significant ongoing discussions regarding potential lineup adjustments for the Raiders. Specifically, reports indicate that the organization is not ruling out a quarterback change following their fourth consecutive loss. Discussion centers on whether to start Fernando Mendoza over Kirk Cousins ahead of the upcoming Week 8 matchup. Media reports note that Kubiak has kept the quarterback door open for Mendoza, while analysts such as Simms have publicly stated that it is time for the team to make the switch. The coverage heavily emphasizes the immediate ripple effects these potential roster shifts could create for key players.


Outlets like The New York Times highlight the potential fantasy football impact on personnel including Jeanty and Cousins, alongside broader questions about what structural changes might be coming for the franchise. Yahoo Sports and ProFootballRumors.com have tracked the unfolding narrative closely, charting the public commentary and internal considerations surrounding the quarterback position as the team evaluates its options. This trend emerges directly from the team's ongoing struggles on the field, contextualized by a four-game losing streak that has amplified pressure on the coaching staff. The juxtaposition between the veteran presence of Kirk Cousins and the rising prospect of Fernando Mendoza forms the core tension of the current sports news cycle. Observers and analysts are actively weighing the team's offensive output against the urgent need to alter course during the mid-season stretch.


Coverage does not yet specify when a definitive decision regarding the Week 8 starting quarterback will be announced by the coaching staff. Readers and fans must monitor future updates from the team and sports outlets to see if Mendoza will take the helm or if Cousins will retain the starting role. Subsequent reports will likely clarify the extent of the changes under consideration for Jeanty and other impacted roster members.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| NFL Rumors - ProFootballRumors.com | Raiders Not Ruling Out QB Change | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMif0FVX3lxTE5BT1RDeWp5SUJNYTd0NmRWYkRqR0Rka2RFNFNrZzNhRUxmcC0xbnc2Zno4WUpWZU5USE5GUlN3bUZTN0NTMHJROGs0NkF0VVMyZ0pRNU9JZlVHTF9VWGpTQlRmZVVSOW1XcXFRMWktSWszUmlxdG5jUE5ld1VGWTQ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Will the Raiders start Fernando Mendoza over Kirk Cousins in Week 8? | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxQaWhzN3dKbUVURFBFQU1oSmVRQUZ5RHp1aDRLcFJDTUxSVXNFaFJfOFp2QUhPMFpST0YzR28wZUpVSXRGV19KclVvZUZrT09TMmgyS290dkVTV29hTXA0dGh5WGlFdkVJc0hFN2k0YmhRdHExZXhQaURVLXNCakVhUFNDVWV0RVY0T2hJVQ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Raiders to consider playing QB Fernando Mendoza over Kirk Cousins | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxPZWxJYVk4XzBPUkltQV9TazZHUVMxb3UwNUJwQ3hSV3Y3ZnFXck9zdmNzYUZNWDdkSGFaUlVMVFRvNTFfSFBpTDNYd2J4OTUzc2lRSGYyRUZIeVNWaFBCWTl2dHVfU2tHdU9uT2tvZFI5djJna19Zb09LSFJEYUNYcEVXcUJxTzluMEkxZ1R3?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Raiders Lose Fourth Straight, Kubiak Keeps QB Door Open for Mendoza | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiigFBVV95cUxNbk1zamdSaE1oMXhYYm9KVVlZYkhqYmM3b0dsOFlzQ0JzNldMSDEtS3FwLVF1eUFRTjRjT0dTdEctcV80X2RfZmtsNEZ5aU1CUWU5U2dQdFM3eW1fTWdneFZTTTRPamdiRW95SWtHNG1HNFk4R0EzU0I2dnV2QjhhdGItX0s3LVBCM1E?oc=5) |
| The New York Times | Changes coming for Raiders? Potential fantasy impact for Jeanty, Cousins and others | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiowFBVV95cUxOdjd5OEp2UjNSeDVVdmVzR1lJT1BxalM3REltczJtNi1hTlNqRXNtU0Rja1Fjbm0xR182RXJUNUEzamRlbTVTdUg0RktRUGxrdk1IRlgxekt5UWJnby1Rb1M3UUs5MWgtRlZ1bktqeHViYU5MVHRjaHBRNkhGcTl0SmhheEhnZ1Q1QWdkZGhHZnZIZVVtXzRPVXJwNnVrUHJfb1lj?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Simms: ‘It is time’ for Raiders to start Mendoza | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihgFBVV95cUxQcldLTkVBZ1pRaFlFM3lmUmxlNGphby11ZFZ0cGFYLTE5ZmlzclFldXdvQVFTQWEyclNTeU1LZkY3Z0ZhbWtGMmRaSUR3NEktZ0VfV3VlbWdQRVJ0XzF1WGFvLW9LblBjdXhDbFV0ZW1MbjRMQXJIYVpna3VDTV9IeC0wTzFsQQ?oc=5) |

---
*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoaiapps.com/trend/2026-10-26/nfl-news-live-updates-raiders-considering-changes-christian-mccaffrey-will-be*