NFL Trade Rumors: Las Vegas Raiders strongly connected to $100M Atlanta Falcons QB as potential mentor for Fernando Mendoza

We all know Fernando Mendoza is the 2026 draft class favorite for the Las Vegas Raiders. What we don’t know is whether they’d need a veteran presence to help the rookie acclimatize to the NFL gridiron.

Coaches have said for years that veteran backup quarterbacks are usually on notice when a rookie takes over the starting role. That’s a situation strongly associated with Kirk Cousins.The Atlanta Falcons released him after he earned $100M for two seasons there: he’s one of the top free agents available. There are rumors linking him to the Pittsburgh Steelers in place of Aaron Rodgers, but we all know the 42-year-old QB may make a grand comeback.

So that leaves Las Vegas’ spot open for Cousins.

Falcons QB Kirk Cousins strongly projected for Tom Brady’s Las Vegas franchise

The Raiders lost Malik Willis to the Miami Dolphins, Kyler Murray to the Minnesota Vikings, and Cooper Rush, well, he is linked to the Green Bay Packers as Jordan Love’s backup. So again, one of the top free agents available on the market is none other than Kirk Cousins. Now, how’s he suited to Tom Brady’s minority-owned franchise? Let’s decipher.The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports the Raiders may show interest in Cousins.

After his brief stint with Atlanta, the veteran could very well become a mentor for No. 1 overall pick Mendoza. Yahoo Sports Daily’s Jason Fitz predicts that the 37-year-old QB may end up with Las Vegas. Fitz reports that Cousins is going to be patient and wait and see what comes up his way. There is no rush for him to make any decision, but Fitz thinks Cousins may end up being the bridge quarterback and mentor to Mendoza in the 2026 season.

Kirk Cousins wants to be starting quarterback in the NFL

Yahoo Sports Daily’s Caroline Fenton spoke with the Falcons QB during the Super Bowl and learned that the veteran was coming back for 2026 because he still had the itch to compete. He still wants to be a starting quarterback in the National Football League.Fenton said that if he gets an opportunity to become a starter elsewhere, he may take it. But if he doesn’t and is offered the role of a mentor, backup, or bridge QB at Las Vegas, Cousins would be fine with that too, as per Fenton.This makes perfect season, especially for Indiana Hoosiers’ star quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who can sit and learn and be a sponge and learn via osmosis from a quarterback who has played a lot of football and won a lot of football. Over 14 seasons with three teams, the veteran QB has accumulated 44,700 passing yards, 298 touchdowns, and 131 interceptions, while maintaining a 66.7 completion percentage and a 96.8 passer rating across 174 games. With over 167 career starts, he would be the perfect mentor for Mendoza.