The Las Vegas Raiders entered the 2026 season with two very different quarterback storylines. Kirk Cousins was brought in as the experienced veteran, while Fernando Mendoza arrived as the No. 1 overall pick and the player many expected to eventually take over. Three games in, however, the situation has taken an interesting turn.
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FOX Sports analyst Mark Schlereth recently spoke with Rich Eisen about the Raiders on The Rich Eisen Show, and he shared what Cousins had told him about his relationship with Mendoza. The veteran quarterback’s message was simple: his own performance is the best way he can help the rookie prepare for what comes next.
“Kirk Cousins told me, ‘Hey man, the best thing I can do for Fernando Mendoza is play great and show him what an NFL offense is supposed to look like. That’s the best thing I can do for him,’” Schlereth said on the Rich Eisen Show.
Schlereth’s comments came as the Raiders sit at 3-0 under head coach Klint Kubiak. Cousins has played a major role in that start, throwing three touchdown passes in each of Las Vegas’ first three games. The Raiders’ latest win came against the New Orleans Saints, when they erased an 11-point second-half deficit and finished with a 35-27 victory.
That start has naturally changed the conversation around Mendoza. The rookie was selected first overall after a Heisman-winning season at Indiana, but Kubiak chose Cousins as his starter to open the season. When the decision was made, Kubiak explained that Cousins had earned the job after a strong offseason and training camp.
“He played really good football. I’m really happy with all three of our quarterbacks. Kirk’s had a really good offseason, very good camp, and he’s earned it,” Kubiak said via the Raiders’ official website.
Cousins himself had previously pushed back on the idea that he was simply in Las Vegas to serve as Mendoza’s mentor. In June, he called that description “a bit of a reach,” explaining that the quarterbacks were learning from one another and working together rather than putting one player above the others.
“Nobody’s leading more than someone else. I think we’re all a working force together, helping each other, giving feedback, giving perspective [and] giving another set of eyes,” Cousins said.
Three games into the season, Cousins has given the Raiders plenty to like. He has completed 67.4% of his passes for 661 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions, while posting a 107.2 passer rating. His numbers have helped keep the offense productive as Mendoza continues to wait for his first regular-season appearance.
Cousins was at his best in the Raiders’ latest win over the Saints. He completed 22 of 33 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns. The victory moved the Raiders to their first 3-0 start since 2021.
The numbers also explain why the conversation around Mendoza has cooled for now. Cousins’ nine passing touchdowns are tied (with Brock Purdy) for the most among qualified quarterbacks through Week 3. He has also posted a passer rating of 88.2 against Miami, 113.1 against the Chargers, and 119.3 against New Orleans.
Mendoza not seeing the field yet does not mean he is sitting still. In his final college season at Indiana, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns while leading Indiana through an undefeated 2025 campaign.
The Raiders now have the Kansas City Chiefs coming to Las Vegas in Week 4, giving Cousins another AFC West matchup and another chance to keep his strong start going. Mendoza, meanwhile, remains in learning mode, getting more time to study the offense and see how Cousins runs it before his own opportunity arrives.