Kirk Cousins Gets Honest on Fernando Mendoza’s Bench Role Amid Raiders’ 3-0 Start

Kirk Cousins has been having an exceptional start to his time with the Las Vegas Raiders, leading the team to a perfect 3-0 beginning of the 2026 NFL season. The quarterback, who just joined the franchise in the offseason, has taken on the role of guiding rookie Fernando Mendoza, who was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Cousins has been starting games ahead of Mendoza, who has been learning from the veteran's performance.

Throughout the games, Cousins has delivered three touchdown passes in each match, totaling 62 of 92 attempts for 661 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions. This performance earned him the starting position following his strong offseason and training camp displays. Despite Mendoza's impressive college career, including an undefeated 2025 season at the Indiana Hoosiers and a national championship, Cousins is still focused on his mentorship role.

In an interview on "The Rich Eisen Show," Fox Sports analyst Mark Schlereth shared that Cousins said, "The best thing I can do for Fernando Mendoza is play great and show him what an NFL offense is supposed to look like." This statement echoes his previous thoughts on mentoring Mendoza, as he wants the rookie to develop independently while also learning from Cousins.

The Raiders face a formidable challenge in their next game against the Kansas City Chiefs, who also boast a perfect 3-0 start to the season, led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Despite this, Cousins remains focused on preparing for the Chiefs' defense, praising its scheme and the experience of head coach Steve Spagnuolo.