Fernando Mendoza's NFL career is set to begin in earnest on Sunday, with his first game as the starting quarterback of the Las Vegas Raiders. He had one man in particular to credit for helping him get there.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday ahead of the Raiders' game against the Seattle Seahawks, Mendoza effusively thanked Las Vegas' previous starter, Kirk Cousins, for his mentorship over the past several months. Cousins was traded to the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, opening the door for Mendoza to start.

The 23-year-old Mendoza said Cousins and his family were nothing but welcoming to him:

"I wanted to make a statement where I really, truly, from the bottom of my heart, wanted to thank Kirk and the entire Cousins family, whether it was Julie, Cooper or Turner. They've, as a family, done so much for me. They've essentially taken me into their household when they were here and they welcomed me with open arms.

"It would have been really easy for Kirk to be the veteran quarterback, having already proved everything, to be more dismissive, but he had me with open arms and has taught me so many things. Whether it's film study, how to operate as a starting quarterback, all the different, multi-faceted approaches that have made him so successful throughout his career. He has shared with no restrictions or no constraints, so I really appreciate him."

The Raiders signed Cousins to what was essentially a one-year, $20 million contract last offseason, in advance of selecting Mendoza with the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. The plan was clear from Day 1, as the 38-year-old Cousins was brought in to start under center for at least the beginning of the season while helping mold Mendoza into a franchise quarterback.

Mendoza expressed appreciation for all the help he got preparing under quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan and backup quarterback Aidan O'Connell, but admitted there's ultimately no substitution for real playing time:

"Those mental reps on the sidelines during games, they were crucial. Coach Sullivan and Aiden, they were great. However, there's nothing like game experience and game reps because the best vision is when you're in the pocket rather than adjacent on the sideline, just to process information."

Mendoza did pump the brakes a bit when he was asked what "lasting memory" he would have of Cousins as a teammate, noting the man was traded, not dead, with a laugh:

"Well, I mean, he's not gone. Like, he's gone from the Raiders forever, he's not gone forever."

Raiders-Seahawks, and a new era of Las Vegas football, kicks off at 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday.