Kirk Cousins Wants ‘Best Player’ To Start At Quarterback For Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders are widely expected to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but that didn’t stop them from signing veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins to what is essentially a one-year, $20 million contract.

With Aidan O’Connell as the only other quarterback on their roster, the Raiders knew they needed to bring in someone with experience, and Cousins fits that bill.

The 37-year-old has 14 NFL seasons under his belt and is coming off a two-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons, where he completed 65% of his passes for 5,229 yards, 28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 22 starts.

Cousins could potentially start at quarterback in Week 1 to take pressure off Mendoza and allow him to develop at his own pace, but said during his introductory press conference that he wants the best player out there when the Raiders begin the 2026 season, via Levi Edwards of Raiders.com:

“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. 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.”

Cousins was an important addition to the Raiders as having a veteran to mentor Mendoza, in addition to still being a capable player, should help the team no matter what path they decide to take.

The Raiders hope that the moves they made this offseason, which include the hiring of Klint Kubiak as their new head coach, will mark the start of a new era of winning football for the franchise.

Presumed No. 1 Raiders pick Fernando Mendoza not attending 2026 NFL Draft

Mendoza will likely be the first player to hear his name called by commissioner Roger Goodell later this month, but he has reportedly decided to skip the draft in favor of sharing the moment with his family.

Mendoza’s decision isn’t all that surprising as his mother, Elsa, has battled multiple sclerosis for more than 15 years and is currently using a wheelchair. That likely played a role in his choice to skip the draft and be at home with his family instead.

It also isn’t out of the ordinary for projected No. 1 picks to skip the NFL Draft as Travon Walker (2022), Trevor Lawrence (2021), Baker Mayfield (2018) and Myles Garrett (2017) all opted to spend the night with their families at different locations.