The Las Vegas Raiders have quite the headache heading into the 2026 NFL season. Along with having the number one overall pick, the Raiders signed free agent Kirk Cousins. With a quarterback competition looming in the Raiders, Cousins broke his silence about Fernando Mendoza.  

Klint Kubiak, the newly hired head coach, will have a decision to make. However, Cousins is embracing the possibility of having Mendoza in Las Vegas.

“I do think Fernando is going to be a great addition to our team,” Cousins said on Good Morning Football podcast. “I think he’s going to have a great future in the league.” 

Mendoza made the controversial decision not to attend the NFL draft, staying home in Miami and watching from there. It was a stellar year for the quarterback, who played for Curt Cignetti’s undefeated Indiana Hoosiers. Winning the national championship and being named Indiana’s first-ever Heisman in program history. 

All signs point to the former Indiana quarterback being the sure-shot No.1 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft. As for Cousins, after a rocky time with the Atlanta Falcons, the four-time Pro Bowler comes in with vast experience under his belt.

The 37-year-old quarterback signed a 5-year, $172 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. It will be a fresh start for the veteran, as well. But he is likely to step back if necessary.

“I don’t want to start unless I’m the best option," Cousins declared. "So I told Klint (Kubiak) that the best players should play. But certainly, as long as that’s the case, you know, I have no qualms with however it plays out.” 

According to Tom Pelissero, the Raiders paid $11.3 million for just one year to Cousins. This breaks the bar set by Marcus Mariota’s $7 million deal for a backup.

For Super Bowl champion Chase Daniel, it’s a calculated move. Mendoza may be the future, but Cousins is the steady hand meant to guide him.

For Mendoza, it will be a golden opportunity to learn from someone who has racked up 45,000 passing yards.

Kirk Cousins opened up about mentoring Fernando Mendoza

Even though more than a decade has passed since Cousins made his NFL debut, he knows what it feels like to be a rookie quarterback. After swapping teams four times, Cousins is now at the tail end of his NFL career. So, he could look to take a back seat and mentor the young Heisman winner. 

“You know, I have no problem being a voice in the room to kind of help him get to that degree that I can; he’s going to have great support all around him from the coaching staff, but to the degree that, being able to watch a veteran quarterback, go through his habits, routines, and process,” said Cousins. 

The quarterback pair has already met and gone over film. It is clear that the veteran quarterback Cousins will be Mendoza's guide. But for that to happen, Las Vegas and Klint Kubiak need to draft him first.

Will Las Vegas be able to pull off the draft move? Share your thoughts.

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar