Andrew Buller-Russ
In three weeks, the Las Vegas Raiders will make Fernando Mendoza the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Yet, there’s no guarantee the Heisman winner will be asked to start right away in Week 1. In a perfect world, the Raiders would prefer to find a highly capable veteran who can bridge the gap from Week 1 to the point when Mendoza is ready to face live bullets.
Potential names still available include four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has yet to find a new team since being released two years into a four-year $160 million contract from the Falcons. He’s already been linked to the Raiders. But apparently, Las Vegas general manager John Spytek already tried to sign another former Pro Bowl QB.
According to ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Raiders attempted to sign former Super Bowl winner Joe Flacco. But he signed on for another season as the primary backup to Joe Burrow instead.
“Signs point to the Las Vegas Raiders adding a veteran quarterback to pair with Fernando Mendoza, and Kirk Cousins is considered a prime option. The Raiders tried to sign Joe Flacco, who opted to stay with Cincinnati. Cousins’ name came up a few times when I asked about what the Raiders might do next, though the Rams are a possibility for Cousins, too.”
Thus, the Raiders are still seeking a veteran mentor for their soon-to-be rookie QB. Cousins could certainly fit the bill. Unless another team, like the Rams, beats the Raiders to the punch again. Cousins has even spent three seasons being coached by Klint Kubiak, from their days together in Minnesota, where Kubiak was the Vikings’ QB coach and offensive coordinator.
For now, the Raiders have Aidan O’Connell as the only other quarterback on the roster. They’ll obviously add another in addition to Mendoza; it’s just a matter of who and when.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders Advised to Add Pro Bowl QB as Bridge Starter to Mendoza
