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Kirk Cousins on potential QB battle with Fernando Mendoza: 'Best player needs to play'
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- Kirk Cousins on potential QB battle with Fernando Mendoza: 'Best player needs to play'
Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins had a clear message for Klint Kubiak during his introductory news conference after joining the Las Vegas Raiders .
While Cousins – a 37-year-old veteran who has made 167 career starts – acknowledged he would like to continue starting, he wants the Raiders to do what's best for the team.
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"The best player needs to play," Cousins told reporters . "If that's not me, I don't want to be out there. 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."
Regardless of whether he starts, Cousins is looking forward to providing the Raiders with veteran leadership as Kubiak enters his first season as a coach.
"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," Cousins said.
Cousins' comments come as the Raiders prepare to make the No. 1 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft . The pick is almost certain to be Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and their first-ever national title while also winning the Heisman Trophy.
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Cousins got a chance to meet Mendoza when the top prospect visited the Raiders for his pre-draft visit on April 7, which also happened to be the day Las Vegas opened its offseason camp. The veteran signal-caller acknowledged he was impressed with what he saw from the 22-year-old during their brief time together.
"He seems like a high-caliber person, and if we're fortunate enough to get him here, then it'll be a privilege to work together," Cousins said.
Cousins – a Michigan State product – noted that while he hadn't studied Mendoza in-depth, he kept an eye on him from a distance while watching Big Ten games. He came away impressed with the Indiana product's "natural feel" for the quarterback position.
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"At his stage, he's much ahead of me," Cousins said, referring to where the duo were as prospects during their respective draft cycles.
Will Mendoza quickly be able to reach Cousins' level in the NFL as well? Time will tell.
But Cousins remains the early favorite to start after Kubiak expressed his preference for rookie quarterbacks to be given time to develop behind veterans "in a perfect world."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kirk Cousins on Raiders QB battle: 'Best player needs to play'
