{"id":858245,"date":"2026-04-07T05:15:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T05:15:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/858245\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T05:15:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T05:15:34","slug":"nfl-analyst-sends-strong-message-on-kirk-cousins-fit-with-raiders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/858245\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Analyst Sends Strong Message on Kirk Cousins’ Fit With Raiders"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Kirk\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons<\/p>\n

The Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> are entering a new era for the storied franchise, with the chance to start fresh under new head coach Klint Kubiak while building around promising young stars like Ashton Jeanty<\/a>, Brock Bowers<\/a>, and, presumably, rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza<\/a>.<\/p>\n

All signs point to the Raiders selecting the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL<\/a> Draft, as he checks all the boxes and seems like the ideal quarterback to help get this team back on track.<\/p>\n

However, it is always a risky proposition to start a rookie quarterback right out of the gate, and it appears the Raiders aren\u2019t planning to do so, as they recently signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Kirk Cousins Could Be Ideal Mentor for Fernando Mendoza\"Kirk<\/p>\n

GettyKirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons<\/p>\n

With Cousins now in the fold in Las Vegas and likely expected to be the Week 1 starter for the Raiders ahead of Mendoza, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com<\/a> shared his thoughts on the veteran quarterback\u2019s fit with his new team.<\/p>\n

By handpicking Cousins to serve as the interim starter, new head coach Klint Kubiak is handing the ball to a trusted veteran who understands his schemes, expectations and standards. Additionally, he is installing a role model in the quarterback room for Mendoza to learn from as he prepares to become the face of the franchise.<\/p>\n

Although some might question starting Cousins over Mendoza, as there have been some recent examples of rookie quarterbacks being successful right away, like CJ Stroud<\/a> with the Houston Texans<\/a> and Washington Commanders<\/a> star Jayden Daniels<\/a>, the safe move is going with the veteran to begin the 2026 NFL season, especially considering Cousins\u2019 success with Kubiak in Minnesota.<\/p>\n

Given his proven success with Kubiak, Cousins should have no trouble convincing Mendoza to trust the process and the progressions in film sessions and on the practice field while showing him how to run the offense like a Jedi master on game day. Yes, Cousins\u2019 game and skills have diminished since his impressive run in the early 2020s, but he has the experience, expertise and temperament to be the perfect mentor for the young quarterback.<\/p>\n

Even though Cousins will presumably be the Week 1 starter and justifiably so, there\u2019s no telling how much football the veteran gunslinger has left in him, as it didn\u2019t take long for Michael Penix Jr.<\/a> to take his job with the Atlanta Falcons<\/a>.Klint Kubiak Makes Stance Clear on Rookie Quarterbacks\"Klink<\/p>\n

GettyLas Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak<\/p>\n

Although anything can happen between now and the first game of the 2026 campaign, the Raiders having Cousins led the way seems to be the way Kubiak is leaning, as he admitted that starting a rookie right away isn\u2019t the wisest decision, via NFL.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIdeally, you don\u2019t want [a rookie QB] to start from Day 1,\u201d Kubiak said Tuesday. \u201cYou\u2019d love him to be able to learn behind somebody. That\u2019s in a perfect world. It doesn\u2019t always work out that way. Sometimes they have to play from Day 1, and it\u2019s our job as coaches to get them ready to go. I think it does help the player if they can sit behind a mature adult and watch how they run the show.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tRyan Ward<\/a> is a longtime credentialed writer covering the NBA and NFL. He has over 15 years of experience in the sports industry from writing, editing, social media management and podcasting. He has covered the Lakers and Raiders for Medium Large Sports, with a previous stint at ClutchPoints. Ward is a Los Angeles native from the United Kingdom, who now resides in Colorado.
\n More about Ryan Ward<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Raiders\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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