Despite having the first overall pick and almost certainly expected to draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Kirk Cousins.
The Cousins signing might disrupt Mendoza’s starting timeline with the Raiders, but former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel insists that the Indiana quarterback must be the starter on day one.
Debate Around Fernando Mendoza vs. Kirk Cousins to Start
Earlier this week, it was announced that the Raiders were signing Cousins to a deal, but what caught people’s eyes most was the five-year, $172 million contract. However, because of the way the contract is structured, it is essentially a one-year, $20 million contract.
Despite bringing in Cousins with the near guarantee of drafting Mendoza, former quarterback Daniel insists that the rookie still needs to be the starter.
“I don’t think that there’s any way that you draft Fernando Mendoza number one overall and then Kirk Cousins plays over him,” Daniel said. “This is purely for a high-character, high-IQ quarterback room to help the growth of Fernando Mendoza.”
Fernando Mendoza HAS To Be Day 1 Starter For The Raiders, Not Kirk Cousins pic.twitter.com/mr1G1F8M0q
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) April 3, 2026
“I do really like this because I was that guy, right?” Daniel added. “I was that guy for so many years as a backup quarterback, it’s like, hey, not only are you, um, trying to help the team win, obviously, like, if your number gets called, you want to play and play well… But he’s also gonna help in Mendoza’s development, he’s also gonna be like, ‘Hey, like, what can I do to help Fernando? What can I do to help Kubiak as a first-time head coach?”
Mendoza is looking to complete the big three: winning the Heisman Trophy, winning the National Championship, and being drafted first overall. Just because he’s been successful doesn’t mean he’ll translate to the NFL instantly. That’s why the team signed Cousins; he’ll be a great mentor to Mendoza, and he’s a player Klint Kubiak has worked with before while they were both with the Minnesota Vikings.
In the event that Mendoza goes down with an injury, Cousins is also a competent quarterback who could step in as the starter. Since the 2020 NFL season, Cousins has had an average impact score of 76.6 in PFSN’s NFL Quarterback Impact Metric.
By no means did the Raiders bring in Cousins to contend for the starting job, but it’s very clearly a veteran presence to help Mendoza’s development.
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According to PFSN’s College Football Quarterback Impact Metric, Mendoza ranked as the second-best quarterback with an impact score of 93.3 and a letter grade of A. In 16 games across 2025, Mendoza completed 72% of passes for 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns (led college football), and only six interceptions. He also rushed for 276 yards and seven touchdowns in 90 attempts.
Mendoza will take over the reins of the Raiders, especially with offensive threats like Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers. Alongside him will be the veteran presence of Cousins to guide him along the way.
