Tom Brady’s Las Vegas Raiders entered the 2026 offseason with a clear and singular mission at quarterback. After a Heisman-winning season with 41 touchdowns and a nation-leading 90.3 QBR, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza looked like the obvious choice from the upcoming draft. Most experts expected Las Vegas to take him first overall and start him immediately.
But all those assumptions took a big hit just a day after Mendoza’s pro day. The Raiders surprised everyone by signing veteran Kirk Cousins to a deal worth up to $172 million. The unexpected move puts Mendoza’s expected role as the Day 1 starter in doubt.
Kirk Cousins’ signing puts Fernando Mendoza’s future starting role in danger
Raiders and Cousinshave agreed to a contractas a bridge quarterback and mentor ahead ofthe 2026 NFL Draft. It is technically a five-year agreement worth up to $172 million, but its practical structure is essentially a short-term commitment.
NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins
Dec 29, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) celebrates after a victory over the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Illinois native is guaranteed $20 million for the 2026 season. Due to his release from Atlanta, the Falcons will pay $8.7 million of his 2026 salary, while the Raiders pay the $1.3 million veteran minimum plus a $10 million roster bonus due in March 2027.
His contract also includes a two-year club option for 2027 and 2028 worth $80 million, though it is widely expected the Raiders will not exercise this if their projected top pick develops.
A day after Fernando Mendoza’s Pro Day, the @Raiders are signing former Falcons Quarterback Kirk Cousins New Head Coach Klint Kubiak coached Cousins in Minnesota for 3 seasons
A smart decision not wanting to throw the potential #1 overall pick into the fire right away… pic.twitter.com/eHVb19dNPY
— Hammer (@Hammers_House) April 2, 2026
After being benched for Michael Penix Jr. in 2024, Cousins stepped back in following Penix’s ACL tear in Week 11 of the 2025 season. He finished the year with 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, leading the Falcons to a 5-3 record in his starts.
His sudden signing has fans wondering what this means for Heisman winner Mendoza. However, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, who coached Cousins in Minnesota, prefers not to start a rookie right away.
He said, “Ideally, you don’t want him to start from Day 1. You’d love him to be able to learn behind somebody. That’s in a perfect world.” Kubiak noted that, ideally, a young player should learn by watching a “mature adult” run the show.
Since the franchise is paying Cousins $11.3 million this year, he is a serious candidate to start Week 1. This allows the team to develop Mendoza at his own pace rather than rushing him into the lineup.
Recently, theIndian Hoosiers quarterback was at the pro day. Since he didn’t throw at the NFL Combine, this workout was his chance to prove himself, and he did. He made every throw from short and deep, completing 53 from his 56 attempts.
Tom Brady sent a large group to watch him, including head coach Klint Kubiak and GM John Spytek. Mendoza has already met with the team twice, with one more meeting scheduled before the draft on April 23.
One thing we know for sure right at this moment is that both Cousins and Mendoza will be part of the Raider QB room next season. It remains to be seen who will be the backup and who will be the starter.