The Las Vegas Raiders made a strategic choice by drafting Fernando Mendoza, the former Indiana Hoosiers star and Heisman Trophy recipient, during April’s NFL Draft. Despite this, the timeline for Mendoza to assume the starting quarterback position remains uncertain, as veteran Kirk Cousins joined the team this offseason.
In a recent conversation with ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Cousins discussed the quarterback dynamics at play during the training camp. He stated, “Good quarterback room. We’ve enjoyed just working together as a group. We have good dialogue every day. I think the organization is positioned well, having drafted Fernando. I’m gonna try to hold him off as long as I can. We’ll see how it goes up ahead.”
“Oh yeah, you can do both. You can do both,” Cousins remarked when asked about his dual role in assisting Mendoza’s transition to the league.
Mendoza steps into his NFL journey backed by strong credentials and high expectations. Like many teams with rookie quarterbacks, the Raiders are likely easing Mendoza into his role by initially relying on an experienced player like Cousins.
Head Coach Klint Kubiak confirmed last month that Cousins would start in the training camp. “He’s the guy, and he deserves it because he’s played really good football. But I want Fernando and Aidan [O’Connell] to push him,” Kubiak emphasized. Preseason and regular-season starters will be determined in due course.
Having adapted well, Cousins appears committed to the Raiders, marking the fourth team he has played for since his 2012 NFL debut. As a seasoned player, with four Pro Bowl appearances, Cousins aims to mentor Mendoza while contributing to potential Las Vegas victories. He shared his thoughts, “Honestly, it’s exceeded my expectations. You know, I tried to get my mind right for living on Mars when I moved here, and it’s been great. It’s sunny every day. Great culture here. I like my teammates. I like the coaches. I like the system. So, I’m excited now; we just gotta get the ball right and go win some games.”
According to a Fox Sports report last month, the Raiders have an over 5.5 win total set by sportsbooks. Achieving six wins would double their previous season’s performance, which secured the No. 1 draft pick used for Mendoza. However, Mendoza’s opportunity to lead as the starting quarterback depends on Cousins’ position on the depth chart.
Leave a Reply