Raiders Secure Kirk Cousins to Guide Rookie QB Fernando Mendoza
The Las Vegas Raiders have made a pivotal move by signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, as confirmed by CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones on Thursday. This decision positions Cousins to potentially mentor the Raiders’ presumptive No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza. Cousins, who brings 14 years of NFL experience and 10 years as a starter, could start early in the season if the Raiders opt to allow Mendoza some time to adjust. New head coach Klint Kubiak, who previously collaborated with Cousins for three seasons in Minnesota, expressed a preference for rookie quarterbacks to learn before taking the reins. "Ideally, you don't want him to start from Day 1," Kubiak stated, emphasizing the benefits of having a rookie sit behind an experienced player. Cousins fits this mentorship role perfectly. Starting his career as a backup to Robert Griffin III in Washington, he eventually secured a starting position for three years before moving to the Minnesota Vikings, where he played for six seasons. After an Achilles injury in his final year with Minnesota, Cousins signed a substantial contract with the Atlanta Falcons but faced challenges, including being benched in favor of Michael Penix Jr. last season. In his last season, Cousins completed 61.7% of his passes, accumulating 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions over 10 games. Now, he finds himself in a dual role with the Raiders, ready to either start or support Mendoza, depending on the team's strategy with their top draft pick.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-02