Without any prior hint, Tom Brady’s Las Vegas Raiders made ice-cold quarterback moves of the 2026 offseason. Just one day after Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza’s pro day, the Raiders agreed to sign veteran Kirk Cousins on a deal worth up to $172 million.
This unexpected signing led to endless chatter across the league. For months, Mendoza had been the presumptive face of Las Vegas’ rebuild, widely projected to be selected first overall by the Raiders after leading Indiana Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 season, a national championship, and the Heisman Trophy. Suddenly, a proven 14-year veteran was standing between him and a Week 1 snap.
But Aaron Rodgers’ brother, Jordan Rodgers, said it is the best news Mendoza could get.
Kirk Cousins’ Raiders signing is allegedly the best news Fernando Mendoza could get
Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up, college football analyst and brother of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers pushed back hard against the idea that Cousins’ arrival is bad news for the incoming rookie. He called Cousins’ arrival nothing short of a gift for the projected No. 1 pick.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza
Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza speaks to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine.
“It’s the best thing that could have ever happened to Fernando Mendoza and he hasn’t even stepped foot in an NFL locker room yet,” Rodgers said.
He added, “This is an opportunity to learn, to pace yourself without the pressure that goes into being a number one overall pick on a roster that, frankly, is probably not ready for you to have success with. That wide receiver room? I covered the UFL right now. It looks like a UFL roster in that wide receiver room.”
.@tthasselbeck and @JRodgers11 give initial assessments of Kirk Cousins signing with the Raiders 🍿 pic.twitter.com/40zYg8MWH7
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 2, 2026
“Having a veteran like Kirk Cousins, and even more importantly, a veteran that plays the position the same way that Fernando Mendoza does, wins between the ears, good arm not great arm talent, a guy that can win from the pocket and teach you and help you learn that process before the pressure really amps up,” Rodgers said.
ESPN analyst Ben Solak echoed that sentiment,notingthat Cousins “has always been a sharp football mind and has a similar play style to Mendoza,” adding that “these two quarterbacks also have similar personalities, and Cousins can help Mendoza learn how to lead an NFL locker room without putting on a false persona.”
Raiders and Cousins have agreed to a contract as a backup quarterback and mentor ahead of the 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.
The timing of the Cousins deal makes Mendoza’s pro day performance even more relevant. Since Mendoza did not throw at the NFL Combine, Wednesday’s workout in Bloomington was his one major pre-draft showcase. He reportedly completed 53-of-56 passes in front of NFL personnel, impressing ESPN’s Louis Riddick and Raiders GM John Spytek.
Cousins is currently the favorite to start Week 1, but that could change depending on how both quarterbacks look in the preseason. By signing him, head coach Klint Kubiak and the Raiders now have a reliable starter to lead the team while Mendoza develops.
This approach gives the front office time to improve the rest of the roster before handing Mendoza the reins, ensuring he has the best chance to succeed long-term. However, if Mendoza outplays Cousins in training camp, the QB1 job is there for him to take.