Kirk Cousins says best QB should start if Raiders draft Fernando Mendoza
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Kirk Cousins was blindsided when Atlanta drafted Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall in 2024 — just a month after he signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons.
He comes to Las Vegas with a firmer sense of his role, and if Fernando Mendoza is selected by the Raiders with the No. 1 overall pick and beats out Cousins for the starting quarterback job, then so be it. “We all want to play,” Cousins said Wednesday at his introductory news conference.
“I made this clear to (coach) Klint (Kubiak) that the best player needs to play. 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'm the best option, I think it's important those guys are out there. ” The Raiders signed Cousins to a deal in which $20 million is guaranteed. Las Vegas is on the hook for $1.
3 million this year and $10 million next March when the new league year begins. The Falcons will pick up the remaining $8. 7 million for this season.