How Cousins, the O-Line, and Mendoza Fit Together

RAIDERS OFFENSIVE LINE DEEP DIVE

If the offensive line isn’t right, nothing else works — and that’s exactly what we dive into in our latest episode of the Silver & Black Sports Network Podcast with former Raiders offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse. We break down what Klint Kubiak’s system actually demands up front, why the shift to an outside zone scheme changes everything, and how the Raiders’ current pieces fit into it. From the importance of continuity and communication to where guys like Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant stand, this is a real, trenches-level look at the unit that will ultimately decide how far this offense can go. If you want to understand what’s really going to make or break this team in 2026, this is a must-watch.

LOL

KIRK TAKES THE REINS

Kirk Cousins introduced himself to Las Vegas on Wednesday, and it’s clear he’s fired up for the opportunity in front of him with the Raiders. After all, he had the best stretch of his career working with Klint Kubiak, Andrew Janocko, and Rick Dennison during their time together in Minnesota. From 2019–2021, he threw for 12,089 yards and 94 touchdowns, earning two Pro Bowl nods along the way.

Even with that familiarity, Kirk noted that things have evolved a bit since that group was last together. So yes, there will be a bit of a learning curve, but the comfort he has with this staff should help the offense hit the ground running faster than most of us probably expected before Cousins entered the picture. And that matters, because it allows the staff to get a real read on where this offense is at — without also having to evaluate and protect their young quarterback at the same time.

That’s a big part of why this move is so important. Yes, Kirk will be great for Fernando Mendoza — just listening to him, it’s clear he’s at a point in his career where he’s fully on board with helping bring a young quarterback along while still proving he’s got something left in the tank. But just as important, he gives this staff a steady hand to evaluate everything else around him.

I didn’t want to dive too deep into everything Kirk said — you’ve probably heard most of it by now. The bigger point here is how valuable it is to have a veteran quarterback with this level of experience in this scheme. Because yes, this will be Mendoza’s team eventually. But Kirk can accelerate the development of not only Mendoza, but the entire offense around him. He can help establish the standard, set the tone, and give Kubiak a level of stability as a first-time head coach before eventually handing the keys over.

Add it all up, and like I said last week, it’s a really shrewd move by the Raiders’ front office.

Want a deeper look at what Kirk still has left in the tank — and why he might be the perfect bridge QB for both this offense and Mendoza? Check out our latest podcast with Matthew Coller, who covered Kirk in Minnesota. We break down his fit in Kubiak’s system, what he brings as a mentor, and why this move might be even more important than it looks on the surface.

REQUIRED READING

Zak Keefer absolutely unloads in this one. It’s a deep, behind-the-scenes look at Jon Gruden’s second stint with the Raiders — and how things unraveled behind closed doors. If you want a clearer understanding of how the franchise got to where it is today, this is a must-read.

MISS ANYTHING?

Catch up on some of our recent stories:

RPO MERCHANT? FERNANDO MENDOZA RESPONDS TO CRITICS

This is a really good sit-down from Nate Tice with Fernando Mendoza that gives you a really good look at Fernando Mendoza. He opens up about the challenges he faced throughout his college career, what he learned from them, and how those experiences have shaped the way he approaches the game now. If you’re trying to get a better feel for his mindset, maturity, and how he handles adversity — this is definitely worth your time.

MENDOZA ON THE RUN

Speaking of Nate Tice, we’re doubling up on his work in today’s newsletter. He did a great job highlighting Mendoza’s ability to throw on the run in the tweet above (it wouldn’t let me embed it above so if you want to watch the clips Nate is referencing, check it out here), and that’s a critical element in Klint Kubiak’s system.

Just look at Sam Darnold — one of the better quarterbacks in the league when it comes to throwing on the move, especially to his left. If Mendoza can bring that same element to the table from under center, it opens up so much more for Kubiak as a play-caller once he’s out on the field.

Being able to keep defenses guessing — not knowing which way the quarterback is going to roll or boot — becomes a nightmare when they’ve already been getting pounded by outside zone runs all game.

FANSHOTZ FRIDAY

“FanShotz Friday”

By now, you have seen the phenomenal photos we’ve been using in many of our newsletters. They’re some of the best shots you’ll find of your favorite team, captured through the lens of our friend Arnie Bazemore of Fanshotz.com. Every Friday, we’ll feature Arnie’s favorite Raiders shot of the week that he captures at practice or on game day.

This week, we’re featuring a shot Arnie snagged of Brock Bowers against the Broncos because Kirk Cousins had a lot to say about the guy at his introductory press conference:

"Well, my wife went to Georgia, and my in-laws went to Georgia, and my wife's siblings went to Georgia, and the basement at my in-laws, where I've lived for many off seasons, is all red and black. So, I watched a lot of Brock Bowers with my in-laws, and they would always say even when he was at Georgia, like, 'Boy, Kirk, you've always done well with tight ends. If you could play with him, that would be exciting.' So, I think my father-in-law is pretty happy I get to play with a dawg, a Georgia Bulldog. So, I met him on Monday or Tuesday, and it's a privilege anytime you can play with a really talented player, and he's a really talented player."

Whether it was Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Kyle Rudolph, T.J. Hockenson, Irv Smith, or Kyle Pitts, Kirk Cousins has always had a thing for tight ends. And now, he gets to play with one of — if not the best — in the game.

This should be fun.

Check out Arnie’s work at his site linked above and reach out if you’re interested in working with him. He’s a great guy and has been so supportive of me over the years when I was at NBC here in Vegas, and he’s come along for the ride with Silver & Black Sports Network, too.

WHAT’S NEXT?

We’re counting down the days til the draft! So with that in mind, we’ll catch you guys again on the next episode of the podcast on Tuesday. Enjoy your weekend, Raider Nation!

Catch ya next time,