HENDERSON, Nev. -- Kirk Cousins is well aware of the situation he's walking into with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Unlike in Atlanta, when he felt misled by the Falcons after they drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in 2024 despite signing him to a long-term deal, he joined the Raiders knowing that they are expected to draft Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick and being a starter isn't guaranteed.
Cousins fully embraces this reality and explained to head coach Klint Kubiak that "the best player needs to play."
"If that's not me, I don't want to be out there," Cousins said Wednesday. "I don't think that's the best thing for the team. If I am the best option, then I believe it's important that those guys are out there.
"... But I'm excited to get the chance to lead, help influence in the locker room, do my part and most importantly, help our team win."
Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins says his new team needs to start the best quarterback and if that's Fernando Mendoza then he's ready to help the team win in other ways. David Becker/Getty Images Cousins, 37, was present during the first day of the Raiders' offseason workout program Tuesday, which so happened to be the day Mendoza was in the building for his first and only top-30 visit. Cousins had a chance to meet Mendoza and said it would be a privilege to play with him.
Cousins added that he has watched Mendoza from a distance and believes the Heisman Trophy winner has a natural feel for the position.
"At his stage, he's much ahead of me," Cousins said.
Even though Mendoza ended his college career on a high note, throwing 41 touchdowns and leading the Indiana Hoosiers to a national championship, Kubiak believes that a young quarterback should learn behind a veteran instead of being named a starter right away.