{
  "id": 16548145,
  "title": "Kirk Cousins: \"If I'm not the best option, I don't want to be out there\"",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/kirk-cousins-if-im-not-the-best-option-i-dont-want-to-be-out-there",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-26T02:12:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kirk-cousins-im-not-best-021221145.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the midst of the Raiders' recent four-game losing streak, the team's quarterback situation has come under scrutiny. Veteran Kirk Cousins, the franchise's seasoned veteran, addressed reporters regarding the possibility of being replaced by rookie first-round draft pick Fernando Mendoza. Despite the recent losses, Cousins reiterated his stance that if he is not the best option, he does not want to play. He emphasized his commitment to giving the team the best possible chance to win, stating that he would have gladly stepped aside for Mendoza had it become apparent early on that he was not the right fit. The veteran quarterback expressed confidence in Mendoza's abilities and his potential for a bright future, urging him to learn from his experiences and play his best to win games. However, the decision ultimately lies with the organization, who may opt to make a change in the quarterback position before the team's poor record becomes an insurmountable obstacle for a potential playoff berth in the future.",
  "summary": "As the Raiders were rattling off three straight wins to start the season, the decision to ride with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was looking like the right way to go.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}