Most of the quarterback openings around the NFL have been filled after a busy free agency, but one of the remaining ones, the Las Vegas Raiders, has its next franchise QB coming from the draft.
Having the #1 overall pick, the Raiders are projected to select Indiana QB, Fernando Mendoza, but starting him right away may not be the plan.
Raiders Sign Veteran Kirk Cousins to Mentor Fernando Mendoza
Starting a rookie QB is always a risk, especially on a rebuilding team like the Raiders, so finding a veteran to step in for at least a few weeks is a good idea. Also, because head coach Klint Kubiak is a first-time HC, winning some games right away with a veteran could help build a culture quickly in Las Vegas.
Mendoza seems to be someone who is always ready to learn and improve, which creates the perfect situation for a veteran to come in and serve as that teacher. Today, the Raiders have found that QB, signing Kirk Cousins to a deal.
Kirk Cousins is signing with the Raiders, per @MikeMcCartney7.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2026
After an extremely busy free agency, the Raiders are beginning to build a team that can actually win some games in 2026, and if Kubiak can be a good coach, Las Vegas may be a sneaky team next season.
Last year, Cousins ranked 30th among QBs in PFSN’s QB Impact Metric, and it’s clear he is not what he used to be, but for the Raiders, that really does not matter. What matters most is Mendoza and doing whatever is best for him.
Kubiak is only 39 years old, the two best offensive weapons (Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers) are still on their rookie contracts, and Mendoza will be a 22-year-old rookie. This is a young offense that has all the potential in the world.
Focusing on the long-term plan is much better than what could happen next season, which is why the team originally traded away EDGE Maxx Crosby, but the move did not go through.
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They do not have any benefit to rush Mendoza onto the field, given that he is the long-term option, and if Cousins does struggle, that will be the rookie’s time to come in. If the Raiders had any say in it, this would not be the best outcome, and Mendoza sitting for most of the season would be better.
Clearly, the Raiders are not making the same mistakes that other teams that select a QB #1 overall have made in the past.
