The Las Vegas Raiders could be preparing a veteran quarterback move that would help ease the transition for highly touted draft prospect Fernando Mendoza.
The franchise holds the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and is widely expected to target a quarterback to lead its next rebuild.
However, recent reporting suggests the Raiders may prefer to surround that rookie with an experienced presence rather than immediately handing him the starting role.
Kirk Cousins is rumored to be a veteran mentor for Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas
NFL insider Dianna Russini revealed the potential plan in a post shared on X, outlining how the Raiders could pursue a veteran quarterback to help guide their expected rookie.
“Expect the Las Vegas Raiders to show interest in Kirk Cousins as they look for a veteran QB addition to help develop presumptive No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza,” Russini wrote.
The idea would mirror a growing trend around the NFL where teams bring in experienced quarterbacks to mentor young signal-callers during their first seasons.
Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback, would provide a significant amount of experience in that role after spending years as a starting quarterback across multiple franchises.
For the Raiders, the move could create a bridge situation where a veteran handles early responsibilities while the rookie quarterback adjusts to the NFL.
Fernando Mendoza is widely projected to be the Raiders No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
The reason the Raiders are being linked to veteran help is the growing expectation that they will select quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Mendoza, who starred at Indiana and won the Heisman Trophy while leading the Hoosiers to a national championship, is widely viewed as the top quarterback prospect in the draft class.
Multiple draft projections and league reports have pointed to the Raiders as the most likely destination for the quarterback because the franchise holds the No. 1 selection.
Despite his success in college, there has been speculation that Las Vegas may prefer to avoid rushing Mendoza into the starting lineup immediately.
That approach would make a veteran presence such as Cousins particularly valuable, allowing the rookie to learn the system while adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL.
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