Kirk Cousins has been a longtime role model for Fernando Mendoza, and now both could share a locker room with the Las Vegas Raiders. Everything will depend on whether the franchise sticks to its plan in the 2026 NFL Draft and selects the reigning Heisman Trophy winner with the No. 1 overall pick.
Could Mendoza fulfill his dream alongside Cousins?
After parting ways with the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins landed in Las Vegas to reunite with Klint Kubiak – his former offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings and now the Raiders head coach. Las Vegas was seeking veteran quarterback experience following Geno Smith’s departure after a disappointing 2025 NFL season (4-13).
The move has Mendoza excited. The young NFL prospect, who has followed Cousins closely since his college football days at California Golden Bears, spoke on Kay Adams’ Up & Adams show about his first encounter with the veteran at the team’s facilities and the major impact it has had on his development.
“He was there in the building, I was able to say hi to him,” Mendoza said. “Someone who has a very similar play style as me. I was able to watch all of his clips from the Minnesota Vikings – funny enough, while I was at Berkeley, I just watched him to learn from his game, the way that he reads defenses, his footwork. To be able to have this full-circle moment, someone that I’ve studied to potentially have the opportunity to play with, someone who is a man of God, who’s very cerebral and has had so much success throughout his entire career, would be an absolute blessing.
“Whatever nuggets he would want to give or something to learn, I would take in and emulate in my own game. Hopefully I can be teammates with him. He’s not only a great player, he’s a great leader of men.”
He also emphasized his eagerness to learn: “Any advice he gives me, I’m going to absorb it and apply it to my own game. Hopefully we can be teammates. He’s not only a great player, he’s also a great leader.”
At 37 years old, Cousins is expected to begin the season as the backup quarterback, though it’s not ruled out that he could open the year as QB1 if Kubiak and general manager John Spytek decide Mendoza isn’t quite ready for NFL Week 1. The organization has made it clear they will play the best quarterback available, but the long-term plan is for the rookie to eventually take over the starting job.
In any scenario, Cousins’ presence will be invaluable as a mentor. Mendoza isn’t starting from scratch – he has spent years studying the veteran’s game, which could accelerate his adaptation and smooth the transition into the Raiders offense.
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