Kirk Cousins, Raiders Rookies Describe Collaborative Quarterback Room

Kirk Cousins said it is "a bit of a reach" to consider himself a mentor to rookie Fernando Mendoza and the rest of the Las Vegas Raiders quarterbacks. He described the dynamic as "more of a narrative than it is the truth" after the first day of mandatory minicamp in Henderson, Nev. Cousins, 37, signed with the Raiders on April 2.

The team drafted Mendoza with the first overall pick 21 days later. Cousins spent two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons before the move and brings 14 years of NFL experience along with prior work alongside coach Klint Kubiak in Minnesota. "They're pretty good players, pretty experienced, and I'm learning a lot from them, too, and asking questions to them," Cousins said.

"Nobody's leading more than someone else. " Cousins said he has learned from Aidan O'Connell, who is in his fourth season with the Raiders. He called O'Connell and Mendoza "great football minds" who have pushed him.

Cousins added that he prepares best when the quarterbacks gather in the evening to review material together. Mendoza said the arrangement has been influential because each player is at a different stage of his career. "We've all come together and have combined our experiences, whether it's from an experienced mind, a naive mind, or Aidan's mind, who's a little bit of a mix," Mendoza said.

Raiders assistant head coach Mike McCoy, who has coached Trevor Lawrence, Kyler Murray and Philip Rivers, said Mendoza is fortunate to observe the differences in throwing styles and preparation between Cousins and O'Connell. McCoy added that he has liked seeing the unselfishness among the quarterbacks while they compete for the starting job.