sports
Raiders Sign Kirk Cousins After Drafting Fernando Mendoza First Overall
Las Vegas added the veteran quarterback months after selecting Mendoza at No. 1. Coach Klint Kubiak said the team is counting on Cousins for the 2026 season.
Jun 11, 1:09 PM·1m read1 source
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The Las Vegas Raiders signed Kirk Cousins after selecting quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. The move came months after first-year head coach Klint Kubiak indicated he would not name a rookie the Week 1 starter.
Cousins went 5-2 as a starter with the Atlanta Falcons last season and threw 10 touchdown passes with five interceptions over his final starts.
He is recovering from an Achilles tear suffered in October 2023. Kubiak spoke with reporters on Thursday, June 11, 2026. "If you watched Kirk play his last four games in Atlanta, you saw what he could do.
He's getting healthier," Kubiak said. " Kubiak said the team never asked anyone to serve as a mentor this spring. "If you're on the roster, it's to play and play really well for this team," he said. " The Raiders are scheduled to play the Miami Dolphins in a Week 1 home game in September 2026.
Cousins previously said the idea that he is a mentor for Mendoza, backup Aidan O'Connell and undrafted rookie Jacob Clark is more narrative than truth. Mendoza acknowledged this week that he expects some growing pains while transitioning from college football to the NFL.
Raiders minority owner Tom Brady has reportedly influenced some personnel decisions and previously favored having a quarterback serve as a backup during his rookie season.
