3 & Out - Kirk Cousins signs with Raiders, Fernando Mendoza’s Pro Day, Fugazi Friday
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The Herd with Colin Cowherd dives into the major NFL offseason story: Kirk Cousins signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, analyzing the financial mechanics and strategic rationale behind the deal. Cowherd breaks down how the Raiders structured a $11.3 million contract through a creative use of the Falcons' cap offset, allowing Cousins to earn $20 million combined while only costing the Raiders $1.3 million in cash this year. He emphasizes the value of Cousins as a mentor for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, highlighting the importance of having a proven, high-character veteran to guide a young franchise. The episode also covers Mendoza's standout pro day, where he took full control of the event—calling routes himself—showcasing leadership and football IQ. Cowherd praises Mendoza’s elite intangibles, smarts, and toughness, arguing that arm strength is overrated in the Shanahan-Kubiak system. The segment concludes with a passionate defense of tough coaching styles in college sports, using Dan Hurley and Tom Izzo as examples, asserting that real-world preparation requires adversity and discipline, not coddling.
The Raiders used a cap offset strategy to pay Kirk Cousins $11.3 million in 2026 while only spending $1.3 million in cash, making the deal financially viable.
Cousins' role with the Raiders is primarily as a mentor to Fernando Mendoza, not a starter, to help develop the young QB in a high-IQ offense.
Fernando Mendoza's pro day was unique—he called his own routes, demonstrating leadership and football intelligence, which scouts found impressive.
Arm strength is less critical in the Shanahan-Kubiak offense than accuracy, timing, and football IQ, making Mendoza a perfect fit.
Tough, demanding coaching styles in college sports prepare athletes for real-world challenges, and questioning them is out of touch with reality.
Sponsor & Intro: The Clifford Show & The Away End
Multiple podcast promotions are aired, including The Clifford Show, The Away End, Reality with the King, and Money & Wealth with John O'Brien, all tied to iHeartRadio and the Black Effect Podcast Network.
Kirk Cousins & the Raiders: The Contract Breakdown
“The way that they set this up is they go, hey, we'll give you the vet minimum this year... but will essentially pay you $11.3 million.”
Why the Raiders Wanted Cousins: Mentorship Over Startership
“You need a guy to look up to. Because I don't care how talented you are, that helps. That matters.”
Fernando Mendoza’s Pro Day: Leadership and Intelligence on Display
“Fernando Mendoza was in charge of the pro day. And he had said the reason he didn't throw at the combine... is because I want to put a bigger emphasis on my pro day.”
The Shanahan-Kubiak System: Why Arm Strength Isn’t Everything
Cowherd explains that the Raiders’ offensive system values accuracy, timing, and intelligence over raw arm talent, making Mendoza a perfect fit despite not having a 'howitzer' arm.
“The real world relative to what these kids are experiencing as Division I athletes... couldn't be more of a 180.”
“You need a guy to look up to. Because I don't care how talented you are, that helps. That matters.”
“Fernando Mendoza was in charge of the pro day. And he had said the reason he didn't throw at the combine... is because I want to put a bigger emphasis on my pro day.”
Host
Kirk Cousins
person
Fernando Mendoza
person
Las Vegas Raiders
organization
Bill Kubiak
person
Clifford Taylor IV
person
iHeartRadio
brand
Kyle Shanahan
person
John Green
person
Dan Hurley
person
Tom Izzo
person
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THE HERD - Hour 2 - Illinois head coach Brad Underwood stops by The Herd
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