Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is set to enter the NFL, with many believing he’s a lock for the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1, and he recently opened up about Kirk Cousins. The Raiders signed the veteran this offseason to shore up the quarterback room, and if Mendoza ultimately ends up in Vegas, he’ll be spending a lot of time with the seasoned signal-caller.
Fernando Mendoza Praises Raiders QB Kirk Cousins, Whom He Studied
With Mendoza expected to be a lock at No. 1 in the 2026 NFL Draft, the general consensus is that the Raiders acquired Cousins specifically to serve as a bridge to the former Indiana star becoming the team’s franchise quarterback.
While the youngster has the ability to run a pro offense right out of the gate, there’s a strong sentiment that he should first learn behind an experienced veteran.
Mendoza appeared on the “Up & Adams Show,” where he was asked if he had spoken to Cousins yet.
“Yeah, I talked to him at the Raiders’ Top-30 visit,” Mendoza said. “He was there in the building — I was able to say hi to him. [He’s] 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, when I was at Berkeley. I’d just watch him just to learn from his game: the way he reads defenses, his footwork.”
Mendoza should have a special relationship with Cousins if he gets drafted to Vegas. After having studied the veteran for years, he’ll finally get to learn from him in person. Cousins, as a four-time Pro Bowler with a couple of NFL records under his belt, will have plenty of wisdom for a young Mendoza.
“To be able to have this full-circle moment, someone who I’ve studied to potentially get the opportunity to play with, someone who’s a man of God, who’s very cerebral, and had so much success throughout his career, it would be an absolute blessing,” Mendoza added. “Whatever nuggets he would wanna give, I would take in and emulate in my own game… He’s not only a great player, he’s a great leader.”
Cousins has demonstrated his primetime mettle time and time again throughout his career. Mendoza will have a lot to learn from the man who is tied in the NFL record books for the most fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives in a single season (8 each).
While many believe the Indiana product still has a way to go before he can receive the keys to a franchise, learning behind a seasoned star such as Cousins should work wonders.
