Raiderstation

I don't love this. I get it, but I don't love it.

Not a fan of this move.

Guess this means we can't bet on Fernando starting or not now.

Not a bad deal. Cousins can play and I really don’t think Mendoza needs to be thrown in right away.

Raiders are making sensible moves this season unlike years past.

Wonder how much Cousins cost. He likes to make money. Key thing is it starter money.

pfish57 wrote: Thu Apr 02, 2026 6:22 am Not a fan of this move.

Neither am I. It's probably low money because of offsets from Atlanta, but I'm too impatient. I don't care if we're competitive in the time before Mendoza is on the field. That's throwaway time for me.

Makes sense. I hope he only gets $5 to $6 mil per year, and not the $10 mil that Flacco was asking for. He will teach Mendoza how to be a pro. I like it. What concerns you Chucker ?

Let Cousins work out the oline bugs while Mendoza learns.

Seems QBs that sit do better in the long run.

The plan is long term...

chucker wrote: Thu Apr 02, 2026 6:25 am Neither am I. It's probably low money because of offsets from Atlanta, but I'm too impatient. I don't care if we're competitive in the time before Mendoza is on the field. That's throwaway time for me.

Cousins has always been about the $$$$$$ not sure what kind of mentor he will be!

RaiderFan1 wrote: Thu Apr 02, 2026 6:26 am Makes sense. I hope he only gets $5 to $6 mil per year, and not the $10 mil that Flacco was asking for. He will teach Mendoza how to be a pro. I like it. What concerns you Chucker ?

I don't mind Cousins but he's a guy who's focused on his own play, and not on Mendoza's. He also has enough respect that it can delay Mendoza getting on the field. I want to see Mendoza sooner than later. I was thinking a 4 game bridge would be great and I think Cousins is more than that.

Cousins' contract will be interesting. He has offsets with Atlanta that might limit him to a vet minimum deal. But the way he plays the contract game, he and his agent might actually figure out some creative structure that actually gets him some money.

I guess there's a possibility that we trade him in-season to a team that has a QB injury. There's also a possibility of a comp pick after he leaves if he plays decent.

I want to see Mendoza though. We've been waiting so long for this...........

So, here are the positives for this signing:


And here are the negatives:
Selfish, me first guy who will offer up almost nothing to the rookie
Mediocre player
Will take snaps from the rookie
Will only hurt Mendoza's development
Will almost certainly start the season as our QB

Damn, I really did not want this guy

Clearly they weren't bluffing about sitting Mendoza for a season. I'm sure he will see time in games that are blowouts one way or the other or even a Cousins injury. I don't see this as a bad thing really as with a new offense there will be a lot of moving parts and year two of the offense may be a better place for Mendoza to get his feet wet.

I like this move for the raiders









5 years ago

chucker wrote: Thu Apr 02, 2026 6:19 am I don't love this. I get it, but I don't love it.

What did you want them to do? Brady, Gannon, and Joe Montana aren’t available. Or would you rather have Jimmy G back?

There weren’t too many other options other than running AOC and Mendoza with another rookie or journeyman QB. I would have hated it more if Mendoza wasn’t the future and we were just playing band aid again at QB. It’s not about Cousins, it’s about the coaching showing improvement at at every position, the rookies and current players being developed, and overall systems being installed and perfected. Cousins is just a placeholder and he’s about the most decent option there was available.

We got the backup possible transition starter to the future at QB. Now let’s focus on building the team out through the draft.

chucker wrote: Thu Apr 02, 2026 6:31 am I don't mind Cousins but he's a guy who's focused on his own play, and not on Mendoza's. He also has enough respect that it can delay Mendoza getting on the field. I want to see Mendoza sooner than later. I was thinking a 4 game bridge would be great and I think Cousins is more than that.

Cousins' contract will be interesting. He has offsets with Atlanta that might limit him to a vet minimum deal. But the way he plays the contract game, he and his agent might actually figure out some creative structure that actually gets him some money.

I guess there's a possibility that we trade him in-season to a team that has a QB injury. There's also a possibility of a comp pick after he leaves if he plays decent.

I want to see Mendoza though. We've been waiting so long for this...........

I would imagine that cousins isn't definitely going to start over Mendoza , and that would only happen if Kubiak and Brady see that Mendoza is not ready. If they feel hes ready week one then they will probably want to push his development not slow him down. I trust Kubiak and Brady will cleary know by week 1 if hes ready or not. But i love Cousins as our back up QB. Much better option over AOC.

I don't mind the idea of a QB who lets Mendoza slowly come along. Granted I hope Mendoza is playing at some point in October, but allowing him the opportunity to adjust to the NFL schedule without the pressures of starting is a good thing.

Kirk seemed to have lost a step this year. So I'm not worried that he'll keep Mendoza at bay for very long. He's a good locker room guy though and sets a good example for others to follow