The Las Vegas Raiders have largely wrapped up their major spending in free agency this offseason, shifting focus to addressing the numerous remaining holes on the roster. While the upcoming NFL Draft and a wave of undrafted free agents will help fill many positions, the team still sees value in bringing in experienced veterans to provide stability and depth.
A key area where the Raiders are targeting veteran reinforcement is at the quarterback position. The organization appears poised to select Indiana’s standout quarterback Fernando Mendoza early in the draft—widely projected as a top pick, potentially even No. 1 overall—given his impressive college performance and high rankings among prospects.
However, the Raiders are not inclined to thrust Mendoza into the starting role immediately as a rookie. The plan emphasizes a measured approach to his development, allowing him the opportunity to earn the job through competition without overwhelming pressure right from the start.
To support this strategy, the team wants a seasoned quarterback in the locker room who can serve as a reliable bridge, mentor, and insurance policy. This veteran presence would help ease the transition for Mendoza and maintain competitiveness if the young signal-caller needs more time to adjust to the professional level.
One name that has surfaced in discussions is Kirk Cousins, largely because of his prior professional connection to Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak. That familiarity could make for a smooth integration into the system.
If a deal with Cousins doesn’t materialize, another possibility has emerged from NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio speculated on the potential fit of Russell Wilson, noting the Raiders’ possible need for a temporary solution.
“The Raiders possibly, maybe would be interested in a short-term bridge, if they aren’t comfortable with putting Fernando Mendoza on the field right away,” Florio wrote. “Wilson may not be inclined to once again be the three-game starter before getting the tap.
“Then again, Wilson may not have many choices. Which raises the question of whether he’s willing to take whatever he can get, making him one of the very rare former franchise quarterbacks who’ll accept being No. 2 or No. 3 on a depth chart.”
Wilson has expressed some past interest in joining the Raiders, and the allure of the Las Vegas market remains appealing to him personally. That said, the alignment might not be the strongest from a schematic standpoint.
Under Kubiak, the offense emphasizes structure, precision, and a run-heavy foundation to protect the quarterback and create consistent opportunities. Wilson, throughout his career, has thrived most when given freedom to extend plays, improvise, and use his mobility to create outside the pocket—traits that don’t perfectly match the more disciplined framework Kubiak prefers.
Wilson did perform competently last season in a starting role before ultimately being replaced by a rookie, demonstrating he can still contribute at a high level. Yet accepting a backup or depth position would represent a significant shift for a player with his resume and Pro Bowl pedigree.
At this stage in his career, such a role could be one of the more realistic options available on the open market. For the Raiders, though, prioritizing a veteran whose style aligns more closely with Mendoza’s projected game would likely make for a better long-term fit.
Quarterbacks like Cousins or even a potential return for someone like Derek Carr represent profiles that emphasize accuracy, timing, and operating within a structured pocket—qualities that could complement Mendoza’s development and mesh seamlessly with Kubiak’s preferences.
Ultimately, the Raiders’ quarterback strategy this offseason revolves around protecting their high-upside draft investment while keeping the team competitive.
Whether through a high-profile veteran addition or internal competition, the goal is clear: build a stable environment where Mendoza can grow into the franchise quarterback the team envisions without rushing the process. This balanced approach could set the foundation for sustained success in Las Vegas.
