Raiders Rookie Quarterback Fernando Mendoza Shared How He's Learning From Kirk Cousins During Team Practices

The Las Vegas Raiders made what many believe will be a franchise-altering pick in this past April's NFL Draft, selecting Indiana Hoosiers champion and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall. However, the team also added veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to their roster to help Mendoza ease into his first season in the league. During a sit-down with NFL Network's Rhett Lewis and Michael Robinson, Mendoza was asked if there was anything "tangible" he's taken away from Cousins at Raiders practices.

"I've picked up so much from Kirk. It's not only his veteran experience, but also he's had experience with coach [Klint] Kubiak when he was balling with the [Minnesota] Vikings, Mendoza said in an NFL Network video. "So when we're installing the offense, installing new plays, and he's like, 'Hey, remember that from 2021 in Minnesota from that game? and we're able to look back at the game and get his thoughts on the concept, not just what's on the card, but how he sees it on his progressions, the Raiders rookie QB said.

Mendoza also revealed he does "more listening than asking" with Cousins, keeping his "eyes and ears open" to absorb what he can from the team's veteran quarterback. More news: Raiders Disciplined Maxx Crosby, Kirk Cousins for Rules Violation. Along with Cousins, Mendoza praised his coaches, offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan, as well as fellow quarterback Aidan O'Connell, who has NFL experience, starting in games during his career.

Mendoza's talk with NFL Network arrived a day after Cousins had been held out of Raiders practice along with teammate Maxx Crosby for their scuffle at practice the previous day. While head coach Kubiak named Cousins the team's starter, it should be interesting to see if Mendoza will get a chance to play any portion of games during the Raiders' preseason slate.