Newly-minted Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins understands as much as anyone that he's not the future of the organization. But unlike many quarterbacks in his position, he doesn't seem bothered or offended by it. Quite the opposite.
Appearing on NFL Network this week, Cousins revealed that he's already spoken to Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak about his situation and made it clear that he doesn't intend or even want to start unless he's viewed as the best option for the team. He believes that Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders' future starting QB, will be a great addition to the team and he looks forward to helping him adjust to the NFL as best he can.
“I honestly don’t want to start unless I’m the best option, and I told Klint that,” Cousins said. “The best player should play. As long as that’s the case, I have no qualms about however it plays out. I do think Fernando is going to be a great addition to our team. I think he’s going to have a great future in our league. I have no problem being a voice in the room to help him to the degree I can. He’s going to have great support around him with the coaching staff, but to be able to watch a veteran quarterback go through his habits and routines and process, that can be a great asset for him. He was here yesterday on his draft day visit. We were able to watch film together. I think he’ll be a great addition to the room.”
Praise from the League
As much as fans like to make fun of Cousins, many couldn't help but concede that the man is saying all the right things and showing great character with his reaction to his situation in Las Vegas:
"Kirk Cousins is a say the right things all star," one user admitted.
"And folks were saying signing Cousins would be bad for Mendoza bc Cousins prolly doesn’t want to mentor anyone," wrote another.
"Had some serious concerns about Fernando to the Raiders but they’re doing everything right so far. Dropped a bag on the o-line and got a God-fearing veteran for our boy," a third wrote.
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Quarterbacks taken No. 1 overall have been getting starts as a rookie for the last two decades. Whether or not Mendoza starts in Week 1, it's inevitable that he'll be on that field for the Raiders at some point in 2026.
Time will tell if he'll have the skill to live up to expectations, but it won't be for a lack of support around him.
