Fernando Mendoza was selected at No. 1 overall this year by the Las Vegas Raiders. However, he didn’t start immediately as they wanted to slowly ease him in the NFL and learn from veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. The 2026 Heisman Trophy winner had some strong words for his former teammate after he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings.
Mendoza is set to start his first game on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. It will mark the beginning of his QB1 era with Las Vegas and a chance for him to prove his worth versus the reigning Super Bowl champions.
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The Raiders are coming off a 38-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. It dropped their record to 4-5 for the season and remain in third place in the AFC West. However, they can still turn things around if they can string wins together with Mendoza starring under center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza speaks during a news conference at the team’s Rookie Minicamp.
Fernando Mendoza Speaks Highly of Kirk Cousins After Raiders Trade
Fernando Mendoza had nothing but good words to say about Cousins. He discussed how the veteran took him under his wing and helped him prepare to be the Raiders’ starting quarterback.
“I wanted to make a statement where I really, truly, from the bottom of my heart, wanted to thank Kirk and the entire Cousins family,” Mendoza said. “Whether it was Julie, Cooper or Turner, as a family, have done so much for me. They’ve essentially taken me into their household and they welcomed me with open arms. It would have been really easy for Kirk, being a veteran quarterback and kind of have already proved everything, to be a little bit more dismissive.
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“But he had me with open arms and has taught me so many things. Whether it’s films, whether it’s film study, how to operate as a starting quarterback. All the different multifaceted approaches that has made him so successful throughout his career, he shared with no restrictions or no constraints. I really appreciate him and it was heartfelt to see him as he was a great mentor.”
The Minnesota Vikings scrambled to find a replacement for Kyler Murray. He remains sidelined due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain, and Carson Wentz was disappointing in Week 9. Cousins returns to the team after three years.
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The post Fernando Mendoza Has Strong Words for Kirk Cousins After Raiders Trade appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
