Raiders Sign Veteran QB Kirk Cousins to Mentor Top Draft Pick Fernando Mendoza

Cousins' experience expected to help ease transition for Heisman Trophy winner Mendoza as Raiders' new starting QB.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:19am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game or practice, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, representing the blending of veteran leadership and young talent on the Raiders' roster.The Raiders' new veteran-rookie quarterback pairing of Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza aims to blend experience and youthful potential on the field.Las Vegas Today

The Las Vegas Raiders have signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a deal that will see him serve as a mentor for the team's expected top draft pick, Fernando Mendoza. Cousins, a 14-year NFL veteran, will provide valuable experience and guidance to help Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana, transition to the professional level.

Why it matters

The Raiders are looking to build around Mendoza, their likely first overall selection, and Cousins' presence will be crucial in developing the young quarterback. Cousins' experience as a starter in the league can help Mendoza learn the nuances of the NFL game and prepare him to eventually take over as the Raiders' franchise quarterback.

The details

Under the terms of the deal, the Atlanta Falcons will pay $8.7 million of Cousins' salary this season, with the Raiders handling the remaining $1.3 million. The contract also includes a two-year, $80 million option for the Raiders. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak and GM John Spytek have emphasized the importance of not rushing a rookie quarterback into the starting role, and Cousins' presence will allow the team to bring Mendoza along at a measured pace.

  • Cousins agreed to the deal with the Raiders on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
  • Mendoza had his pro day on Wednesday, April 2, 2026, in front of all 32 NFL teams.

The players

Kirk Cousins

A 37-year-old veteran quarterback who has played 14 seasons in the NFL, including the past two with the Atlanta Falcons. Cousins has an 88-77-2 career record as a starter and led the Vikings to a 13-4 record in 2022.

Fernando Mendoza

The expected top overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy in 2025 after leading Indiana University to its first national championship.

Klint Kubiak

The head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

John Spytek

The general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Mike McCartney

The agent for Kirk Cousins.

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What they’re saying

“Ideally, you don't want him to start from Day One. You'd love him to be able to learn behind somebody. That's in a perfect world. It doesn't always work out that way. Sometimes they have to play from Day One and it's our job as coaches to get them ready to go. I think it does help the player if they can sit behind a mature adult and watch how they run the show.”

— Klint Kubiak, Head Coach, Las Vegas Raiders

“The Autumn Wind...”

— Kirk Cousins

What’s next

The Raiders will look to finalize their 2026 NFL Draft plans, with Mendoza expected to be the top overall pick. Cousins' role in mentoring and developing the young quarterback will be closely watched as the team prepares for the upcoming season.

The takeaway

The Raiders' decision to sign veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins demonstrates their commitment to building around Fernando Mendoza, the team's likely first overall draft pick. Cousins' experience and leadership will be invaluable in helping Mendoza transition to the NFL and eventually take over as the franchise's starting quarterback.