Turns out, the Las Vegas Raiders desire to land a veteran signal caller to serve as both starting quarterback and mentor to what’s expected to be QB wasn’t poppycock.
Both general manager John Spytek and head coach Klint Kubiak spoke openly of the preference to have a veteran quarterback on the roster this offseason. And the primary motivation to get an experienced signal caller is obvious: Get someone under center capable of executing Kubiak’s offense that can also serve as a mentor/on-field example for presumed No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.
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“Yeah, I think ideally you don’t want him to start from day one. You’d love him to be able to learn behind somebody. That’s in a perfect world. I know,” Kubiak said at the NFL league meeting a week ago. “Like I said before, it doesn’t always work out that way. Sometimes they have to play from day one, and it’s our job as a coach to get them ready to go. I think it does help the player, though, if they can sit behind a mature adult and watch how they run the show.”
Well, The signing of Kirk Cousins is plenty proof of that.
The 37-year-old (38 on August 19) enters Year 15 — this season in Silver & Black — and brings integral familiarity having Kubiak as his quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator during their respective times with the Minnesota Vikings from 2019 to 2022.
It’s that history which is atop of the reason why Cousins is a great fit for not only Kubiak, but for Mendoza the widely assumed top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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By The Numbers
Kirk Cousins, Quarterback
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2025: 10 games (8 starts), 5-3 record, 166 completions on 269 throws, 61.7 completion percentage, 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 13 sacks
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Career: 174 games (167 starts), 88-77-2 record, 3,934 completions on 5,899 throws, 66.7 completion percentage, 44,700 yards, 298 yards, 131 interceptions, 345 sacks
Those three season where Kubiak had a direct hand in Cousins’ game as Vikings quarterback saw the Michigan State product start 47 of the 47 games. Cousins compiled a 25-22 record completing 1,028 passes on 1,521 attempts (67.6 completion percentage), for 12,089 yards, 94 touchdowns, 26 interceptions , and absorbing 95 sacks.
Now while both play caller and quarterback have evolved since those seasons, the system knowledge that Cousins has with Kubiak’s offense should allow the duo to hit stride quicker than most. It’s Kubiak’s offense that was a major draw for a reunion in Las Vegas.
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“Yeah, it’s a real privilege to work with Klint again. I think highly of him as a person. I think highly of his system, his staff, Rick Dennison, Andrew Janocko, the way they marry the run and pass. It’s a system that, to me, makes a lot of sense,” Cousins said during his introductory press conference this past Wednesday. “So, excited to get with them again and same for Tom (Brady). Just not a lot of ownership groups would have someone with that kind of on-field experience that can talk ball with you at the level that he can. So, I’d like to think that that can be a competitive advantage up ahead, but it’s a privilege to have access to someone like that.”
Dennison whipping the offensive line into shape and executing the zone blocking elements Kubiak prefers is the essence of the strong run game tying into a varied passing game marriage. And once the trenches are squared away, those play-action bootlegs that Kubiak loves to dial up and Cousins can execute will be intriguing to watch with young running back Ashton Jeanty and elite tight end Brock Bowers to hand the ball off too, or throw too, respectively.
Cousins arrival also means opposing defenses must be more wary over an experienced veteran as the Raiders starting quarterback as opposed to a rookie (Mendoza). Couple that with already existing rapport and mutual respect, it’s difficult to see Cousins not doing everything in his power to ensure Kubiak’s first rodeo as an NFL head coach goes as well.
And part of setting up Kubiak for success is not only being a quality starting quarterback, but showing a potential rookie quarterback the ropes. Cousins can keep the Raiders offense competitive and showing Mendoza a great example of both what to do and what not to do on the field. And if Mendoza progresses and the Raiders deem him the heir apparent meaning Cousins’ tenure is a one-year bridge quarterback. Which is something neither team or veteran player won’t be mad at.
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Because by all accounts thus far, Cousins’ willingness to mentor Mendoza can set up Kubiak and the Raiders for future success. This is mainly due to the pair of signal callers sharing similar architypes.
While Mendoza is bigger at 6-foot-5 and 236 pounds compared to Cousins (6-foot-3 and 205 pounds), both are precision pocket passer-type quarterbacks who rely on their high football IQ to exploit the opposing defense. Both Cousins and Mendoza excel in a timing- and accuracy-based offense which is the style of play Kubiak prefers.
The personalities are alike as both exhibit uncanny positivity and are vocal leaders. Cousins was complimentary of Mendoza noting the Hoosier is “much ahead” of where the veteran was as a prospect back in 2012 — which resulted in Cousins getting drafted by Washington in the fourth round (102nd overall). The vet added both share a “natural feel” for the position.
Also impressive from Cousins, he seeks a competition between he and Mendoza — if the Indiana product is indeed the top pick of the 2026 draft later this month — and may the best man win.
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“Yeah, I think we all want to play, but I made this clear to Klint that the best player needs to play. If that’s not me, I don’t want to be out there. I don’t think that’s the best thing for the team,” Cousins explained. “If I am the best option, then I believe it’s important that those guys are out there. But I’m excited to get the chance to lead and help influence in the locker room and do my part, do my role, and just, most importantly, help our team win.”
