Kirk Cousins knows exactly where he stands in the Las Vegas Raiders’ quarterback room. The veteran signal-caller isn’t asking for handouts as the franchise zeroes in on the top overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. He fully expects a battle for the starting job.
The Raiders hold the cards in this draft class, and all signs point to the selection of highly touted quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The prospect recently made his official pre-draft visit to Las Vegas. Instead of viewing the incoming rookie as an adversary, Cousins is already breaking down tape with his presumptive competition.
How Kirk Cousins Is Embracing the Mentor Role
Appearing on “Good Morning Football,” Cousins delivered a blunt assessment of his relationship with Mendoza. He made it clear that tenure alone will not dictate who takes the first snap of the season.
“Honestly, I don’t want to start unless I’m the best option, and I told Klint (Kubiak) that,” Cousins said. “Best players should play. Certainly, as long as that’s the case, I have no qualms with however that plays out.”
Cousins navigated a nearly identical dynamic two years ago. He lived through a highly publicized transition during his stint in Atlanta after the front office drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick. That experience clearly shaped his approach in Las Vegas.
Mendoza carries immense expectations as the potential face of the franchise. Rather than shutting the young quarterback out, Cousins actively engaged with him during his visit to the team facility. The veteran went out of his way to praise the prospect’s mechanics and collegiate production.
“I do think Fernando is going to be a great addition to our team,” Cousins said. “I think he’s going to have a great future in the league. I have no problem being the voice in the room to kinda help him to the degree that I can.”
According to PFSN’s CFB QB Impact metric, Mendoza ranked second among all college quarterbacks for 2025, with a score of 93.3. The only quarterback with a higher score was Diego Pavia, who earned 94.8.
The two quarterbacks spent time together in the film room reviewing Mendoza’s college tape. Cousins specifically highlighted the prospect’s accuracy and touch on difficult perimeter throws during his collegiate career at Indiana.
“He was here yesterday on his draft day visit,” Cousins said. “We were able to watch film together. I was even telling him how much success he had throwing back shoulders at IU that I’d like to learn a little bit from him on how to throw a good back shoulder.”
Building a Competitive Las Vegas Raiders Quarterback Room
Head coach Klint Kubiak faces the challenge of managing a respected veteran while developing a premier draft asset. The offensive scheme requires precision, and both quarterbacks possess the skill sets to execute the playbook.
“I do think Fernando is going to be a great addition to our team” 💪@KirkCousins8 on the possibility of getting to work with @fernandomendoza on the @Raiders pic.twitter.com/S8zK7YzChs
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) April 8, 2026
Mendoza will enter the building with a strong support system. The rookie gets a front-row seat to observe how a four-time Pro Bowler manages his habits, routines, and overall process.
Cousins expects intense scrutiny surrounding the camp battle but insists the internal environment will remain completely professional. The focus stays entirely on improving the roster.
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s Ultimate GM Simulator
“It will be a noisy quarterback room,” Cousins added. “We’ll all be helping each other and we’ll all be pulling in the same direction.”
Las Vegas desperately needs stability at the game’s most important position. Whether Cousins holds off the rookie or Mendoza takes the reins early, the franchise finally has a clear path forward under center.
