Las Vegas – Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, now in his 15th NFL season, is embracing a mentorship role with the Raiders’ first‑overall draft pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Cousins, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason, highlighted the importance of teamwork, faith and family as the team shapes its offensive future.
Veteran leadership on the field
Although head coach Klint Kubiak has not officially named a starter for Week 1, Cousins has been taking the majority of first‑team reps in practice and was seen wearing a headset on the sideline during the preseason game against the Houston Texans. Kubiak praised Cousins for his preparation, noting that the veteran’s job is to “lose” in practice to help the team improve.
When asked about his relationship with Mendoza, Cousins said, “It’s been a great working relationship. The quarterback room is at its best when everyone’s pulling together, helping one another, and we’re all working as a force together to get better at our craft.” He added that Mendoza is a “great worker” who is quickly adapting to the professional level.
Learning and asking questions
Cousins emphasized Mendoza’s eagerness to learn, describing the rookie as a “sponge” who asks thoughtful questions. “He’s a good question asker, and he’s been really asking questions since spring camp,” Cousins said. He believes Mendoza’s sense of urgency will serve him well as the margins for error at the NFL level are slim.
The veteran also noted that he and fellow quarterback Aidan O’Connell are studying Mendoza’s back‑shoulder throws, hoping to incorporate those techniques into the Raiders’ offense.
Faith as a foundation
Both Cousins and Mendoza are outspoken Christians, and their shared faith was among the first topics of conversation when the rookie arrived in Las Vegas. Cousins recalled praying about the move to the Raiders and said, “Having an anchor that’s bigger than just our football success is truly building your life on a sturdy foundation.” He mentioned that Mendoza asked whether he had found a church in Las Vegas, underscoring how central faith is to their daily lives.
Family also plays a key role for Cousins. When not at the Raiders facility, he spends time with his wife Julie and sons Cooper and Turner, often gathering around a new outdoor projector from AWOL Vision to watch movies and sporting events together.
Looking ahead
Cousins is focused on proving his doubters wrong and helping the Raiders succeed this season, while also preparing Mendoza for a future leadership role. “I want to prove the people who believed in me right,” he said. “That includes the coaches, the teammates, and the fans who see that I still have something left in the tank at 38 years old.”
As the Raiders head into training camp, the partnership between the seasoned veteran and the promising rookie offers a blend of experience, work ethic and shared Christian values that could shape the team’s identity for years to come.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
