Kirk Cousins’ view on mentoring is different from Joe Montana and Brett Favre’s

During an NFL football practice in Las Vegas on August 11, 2026, Las Vegas Raiders quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins took part in a conversation regarding mentorship in the quarterback room. Mendoza is the team's first-round draft pick, having been selected by the Raiders No. 1 overall after leading Indiana to their first national championship.

The conversation, shared on the AP's "On Football" podcast, highlighted the contrasting perspectives of legendary Hall of Fame quarterbacks Joe Montana and Brett Favre, who were not interested in teaching their respective successors within their respective San Francisco 49ers teams. Both Montana and Favre remained in their starting roles as long as they could, preferring to maintain control of their positions.

Cousins, however, has a different viewpoint on mentoring Mendoza. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and mutual learning within the quarterback room, stating that all players can contribute valuable insights, and that the best quarterback rooms foster an environment where everyone shares their thoughts and questions. In his own words, "I've always said that the quarterback room is kind of a working force together, where we're all giving each other feedback, giving each other thoughts, asking questions, wanting to get a feel from the pulse of the room."

Cousins' decision to join the Raiders was influenced by his established relationship with new coach Klint Kubiak, a connection that dates back to their shared experiences in Minnesota when Kubiak was an assistant. Cousins believes that continuity and shared history with coaches and players significantly accelerates the learning process and builds trust, a valuable aspect in today's NFL where team stability is often limited.

Since beginning his career with the Washington Redskins in 2012, Cousins has been with three different teams in four years. Before joining the Raiders, he spent six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and two with the Atlanta Falcons.