Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza Doesn’t Hold Back on Kirk Cousins

Fernando Mendoza offered a heartfelt farewell to Kirk Cousins one day after the veteran quarterback was traded from the Las Vegas Raiders back to the Minnesota Vikings.

Speaking Wednesday, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft made clear that Cousins and his family had left a lasting impression during their brief time together in the desert.

“I really, truly, from the bottom of my heart wanted to thank Kirk and the entire Cousins family, whether it was Julie, Cooper or Turner,” Mendoza said. “They have, as a family, done so much for me. They’ve essentially taken me in to their household when they were here, and they welcomed me with open arms.”

The rookie described a mentorship that went well beyond ordinary professional courtesy.

He noted how easily a proven veteran could have kept his distance once the Raiders selected a franchise quarterback with the top pick, yet Cousins chose a different path.

“It would have been really easy for Kirk, being a veteran quarterback and already proved everything, to be a little bit more dismissive,” Mendoza continued.

“But he had me with open arms and has taught me so many things, whether it was film study, how to operate as a starting quarterback, all the different multifaceted approaches that have made him so successful throughout his career. He has shared with no restrictions and no constraints. I really appreciate him and it was heartfelt to see him (go), as he was a great mentor.”

Cousins had already offered his own concise send-off, posting “Go get em” while tagging Mendoza on Instagram after the trade.

Mendoza’s longer remarks framed that encouragement as the product of months of open, unrestricted teaching rather than a simple goodbye.

The Raiders signed Cousins in the offseason knowing they would draft Mendoza, and the arrangement gave the rookie a live classroom of film work, game-day habits, and leadership before he took the first snap of his career.

That first start arrives quickly and against a difficult opponent.

Mendoza is set to face the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.

Cousins, meanwhile, returns to Minnesota and is expected to take the first snaps of his second stint with the Vikings this weekend at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers.

The site carries its own history for him; his most recent appearance there in 2023 ended with an Achilles injury. Green Bay’s pass rush has remained productive even with Micah Parsons unlikely to play, adding another layer of difficulty for a quarterback re-acclimating to Kevin O’Connell’s offense on short notice.

In the space of a single trade deadline, the Raiders accelerated Mendoza’s timeline while the Vikings regained a known starter for a playoff push.

Mendoza’s comments suggest the transition was eased by the very person whose departure created the opening.