Raiders Signing Kirk Cousins Could be the “Best Situation” For Fernando Mendoza, According to Emmanuel Acho

Emmanuel Acho believes that Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza are similar players.

Raiders Signing Kirk Cousins Could be the “Best Situation” For Fernando Mendoza, According to Emmanuel Acho

Fernando Mendoza, Kirk Cousins and Emmanuel Acho inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/Speakeasy)

In Short
  • Kirk Cousins signed a one-year, fully guaranteed $20 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.
  • Emmanuel Acho believes Cousins is an ideal mentor for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
  • Mendoza showcased impressive skills at Indiana's Pro Day, completing 53 of 56 pass attempts.

Kirk Cousins’ signing with the Las Vegas Raiders does not surprise Emmanuel Acho. From his perspective, Cousins is the perfect role model for young Fernando Mendoza, whom the Raiders will probably draft first overall in a few weeks.

On the latest episode of Speakeasy, Acho reacted to the Raiders signing Cousins, who stands a solid chance of starting in week one. He praised the Raiders for taking the step.

Cousins has been in the league for a long time, experiencing various setups, which should come in handy. This gives the Raiders some flexibility to train Mendoza, and in a couple of years, he can step in and take over.

Acho noted that the majority of the recent NFL MVPs did not immediately start in their rookie year. He named Patrick Mahomes (sat behind Alex Smith), Lamar Jackson backed up Joe Flacco, and Tom Brady watched as Drew Bledsoe led the Patriots to a 5-11 season. All three later went on to win multiple best player awards.

Having Cousins as the starter has its benefits. Several analysts agree that the University of Indiana graduate mirrors the veteran signal caller in various categories. Acho is part of that group.

[Fernando Mendoza] is gonna be watching Kirk Cousins… [who] is quite literally–he’s the NFL comparison that I made for Mendoza. I believe they are the same quarterback. I believe they are equally mobile, especially young Kirk Cousins. Remember when Kirk Cousins was in that [Kyle] Shanahan scheme in 2012. I believe they are equally mobile, equally big arms, I believe they are equally cerebral, and I believe they are equally mature as individuals.

Emmanuel Acho said

Unless the league witnesses a massive shift right before the draft in Pittsburgh, the Raiders should draft Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and CFP champion. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. is adamant that Mendoza is the best quarterback in the draft over Alabama’s Ty Simpson.

Raiders’ head coach Klint Kubiak had nothing but high praise for Mendoza while discussing his future at the annual owners meeting.

He’s a winner, he’s accurate, he’s tall [and] intelligent.

Kubiak described Mendoza (H/T: ESPN)

Mendoza opted out of the NFL Combine in March so that he could be fresh for Indiana’s Pro Day. According to Nick Walters of Vegas Sports, Mendoza lived up to expectations. He completed 53 of his 56 pass attempts, with the only three misses coming from drops.

Details of Kirk Cousins’ contract with the Raiders

The Raiders had their eyes on Cousins for a while. Kubiak worked with 37-year-old in Minnesota, and so signing him made sense.

Raiders Signing Kirk Cousins Could be the "Best Situation" For Fernando Mendoza, According to Emmanuel Acho
Kirk Cousins (Image via IMAGO)

However, the football community was stunned upon learning the length of the contract and the amount Cousins will be earning. Cousins is expected to sign a five-year, $172 million extension to play for the silver and black. In reality, Cousins’ contract is a one-year, fully guaranteed $20 million deal, with a club option for an additional two years at $80 million.

Adam Schefter of ESPN tweeted that “the [Atlanta] Falcons will pay Cousins $8.7 million this season, the Raiders another $1.3 million and Las Vegas also agreed to pay its new QB a fully-guaranteed $10 million roster bonus on the third day of the 2027 new league year.“

Cousins spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the Falcons of the NFC South, sharing snaps with Michael Penix Jr. In 22 starts (24 appearances), Cousins went 12-10, racking up a passer rating of 87.2 with 5,229 yards, 28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.

Also Read: