The Las Vegas Raiders’ blockbuster deal at the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday ushered in the Fernando Mendoza era, as and the Minnesota Vikings reunite with Kirk Cousins after their 6-2 start to the season was marred with concerns at quarterback.
It’s a deal that was a win-win for both sides, and after just nine games in Las Vegas, Cousins left his mark with the Raiders — along with a parting message.
He posted a thank you to the organization on his Instagram story, along a message of encouragement for Mendoza: “Thank you Raider Nation! Go get em @ferandomendoza.”
Mendoza acknowledged the post with an Instagram story of his own, expressing gratitude by sending two folded hands emojis Cousins’ way.
Cousins also sent a message to the Vikings with a post, writing, “See you soon, MN! #Skol.”
Cousins, who helped the Raiders win three straight games to start the season and is currently ranked second in passing touchdowns (23) and fifth in passing yards (2,340), won over many in Raider Nation as reactions on social media have poured in.
Raiders Hall of Famer Tim Brown said he heard an inkling of the Cousins deal and admitted he feared for his time.
“Ugh! I was in Vegas last night and there was a lot of murmuring about (Cousins) I was afraid what I was hearing made a lot of since. And now, I know it was real,” Brown wrote in a post on X. “Just wanted to say THANKS to Kirk! You gave the Nation something to cheer for. I’m sure you have been.”
ESPN’s Field Yates praised Raiders general manager John Spytek for the move.
“The Kirk Cousins signing was a master stroke by Raiders GM John Spytek,” Yates wrote on X, noting the total $650,000 paid to Cousins in exchange for nine games, six months of time to development Mendoza and a 2027 third-round pick.
The Kirk Cousins signing was a master stroke by Raiders GM John Spytek: The Raiders paid Cousins a total of $650,000 They got: – 9 games of rock solid QB play – 6+ months for #1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza to learn the system and be mentored by Cousins – A 2027 3rd round pick
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 10, 2026
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer saw the trade as a sign of confidence in Mendoza.
“The Raiders have been meticulous and patient, but it’s been pretty clear Fernando Mendoza’s ready to play for a few weeks,” Breer said on X. “Kirk Cousins has been a big factor in helping him, and now his trade allows for Mendoza to enter the lineup organically, without an undeserved benching.”
This is a developing story. Check back later for more.
Contact Trevor Squire at tsquire@reviewjournal.com. Follow him at @trevordsquire on X.
