Kirk Cousins joins Raiders with focus on mentoring top draft pick

Veteran QB says he's ready to 'finish strong' and 'leave a mark' in Las Vegas

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football player in motion, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.Veteran QB Kirk Cousins embraces a mentorship role, guiding the Raiders' future at the position.Las Vegas Today

The Las Vegas Raiders have signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to be part of their quarterback room, likely serving as a mentor to the team's expected No. 1 overall draft pick, Fernando Mendoza. Cousins says he's embracing the opportunity to help guide the young quarterback and leave a positive legacy with the Raiders before his playing career ends.

Why it matters

Cousins' willingness to take on a mentorship role is seen as a key factor in the Raiders' offseason quarterback moves. Having an experienced veteran to learn from could be invaluable for the rookie Mendoza as he transitions to the NFL.

The details

The Raiders signed Cousins to join Klint Kubiak's quarterback room, providing cover and veteran guidance for Mendoza, who is expected to be the team's top draft pick. Cousins says he's focused on 'finishing strong' and 'leaving a mark' with the Raiders, indicating he's embracing a mentorship role rather than fighting for the starting job.

  • The Raiders signed Cousins in April 2026.

The players

Kirk Cousins

A veteran NFL quarterback who has signed with the Las Vegas Raiders to serve as a mentor to the team's expected top draft pick.

Fernando Mendoza

The Las Vegas Raiders' expected No. 1 overall draft pick, who will likely be mentored by veteran QB Kirk Cousins.

Klint Kubiak

The Raiders' quarterback coach who will oversee the team's QB room, including veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“For me, I got more football behind me than ahead of me. And as a result, I see my time here as a great opportunity to finish strong. To leave a mark, to hopefully send things in the right direction, such that when I'm done playing, I can be proud of not only what we did in my time here in Vegas, but then what the Raiders are still doing.”

— Kirk Cousins, Veteran Quarterback

What’s next

The Raiders will look to Cousins to provide veteran leadership and guidance to their young quarterback Mendoza as he prepares for his rookie NFL season.

The takeaway

Cousins' selfless approach to mentoring the Raiders' top draft pick shows his maturity and commitment to helping the team succeed, even if it means taking a backseat to the younger quarterback. This move could pay dividends for the Raiders as they look to build a winning culture around their new franchise QB.