The Las Vegas Raiders must feel today that they have secured the best bridge quarterback available. They have.
Seeking a veteran to help mentor Fernando Mendoza was obviously a point of focus.
They couldn’t have done better than Kirk Cousins.
Just as long as he embraces the plan.
And you figure he will.
This isn’t like Atlanta, where Cousins signed a four-year deal worth $100 million guaranteed only to feel blindsided when the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall draft pick in 2024.
This isn’t Cousins — you would hope — signing with the Raiders and not having any idea about what is to occur.
Which means the team taking Mendoza with the first overall selection later this month.
Released last month
You figure the team’s plan for Mendoza has been spelled out clearly to Cousins and that the former will eventually be trusted as the franchise quarterback it hopes him to be.
This isn’t like Atlanta, where Cousins believed when agreeing to such a massive deal that he would be the starter for the foreseeable future.
Instead, Penix was installed as the guy following 14 games from Cousins in 2024. He then backed up Penix in 2025 before taking over down the stretch following Penix tearing his ACL.
Cousins was released by the Falcons last month.
This was Cousins on a Netflix episode of its “Quarterback” series regarding his time in Atlanta:
“I was pretty excited about the chance to get down there and start fresh. And then, I was pretty surprised when the NFL draft happened. I wasn’t expecting us to take a quarterback so high. At the time, it felt like I had been a little bit misled, or certainly if I had the information around free agency, it certainly would’ve affected my decision.
“I had no reason to leave Minnesota with how much we loved it there. … But I’ve also learned in 12 years in this league that you’re not entitled to anything. It’s all about being able to earn your spot and prove yourself.”
He must do so in Las Vegas but will obviously be afforded every opportunity. The Raiders, from general manager John Spytek to coach Klint Kubiak, have talked about their desire to have a veteran presence at quarterback to start a season.
That in a perfect world, a player like Mendoza could sit and watch and learn from someone who has proven himself a more than competent NFL player. That world is available to them now.
Cousins has thrown for 44,700 yards and 298 touchdowns in 174 career games while making four Pro Bowls. He has also played for the Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings, the latter of which he spent three seasons with Kubiak.
Mendoza was better than good at his Pro Day in Bloomington, Indiana, on Wednesday. In front of a large contingent of Raiders personnel, the Heisman Trophy winner with the Hoosiers completed 53 of 56 passes. He was calm, collected and everything you would want from a presumptive top pick.
He was also throwing in a T-shirt and shorts without an NFL rush in his face.
It’s a long way from taking a snap in a real game and likely why the combination of Spytek and Kubiak feel as they do when it comes to a rookie starting from Day 1.
Embrace the plan
That sentiment makes even more sense now with the arrival of the 37-year-old Cousins. He knows Kubiak’s offense. He can teach Mendoza how to be a professional. All that goes into leading an NFL team from its most important position.
This is the best outcome for the Raiders. This is the best outcome for Mendoza. This is what a new coach wants.
“We’re not going to ask a veteran to be a teacher,” Kubiak said from the league meeting in Phoenix this week “That’s our job. We just want the guy to lead with his play and lead by example. They have enough to worry about getting the ball out of their hand and not getting sacked.
“We just want them to play their best football and the young guy can learn from that.”
That’s why you sign Kirk Cousins.
As long as he embraces the plan, whatever it is at this point, the team is much better today than it was before he came aboard.
Ed Graney, a Sigma Delta Chi Award winner for sports column writing, can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on X.