Video taking off 14x its usual first day

Fernando Mendoza thanks Kirk Cousins for sharing the quarterback's playbook

The Raiders starter's tribute goes beyond football, crediting Cousins and his family for welcoming him into their home.

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NFL on FOX Story of November 13, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? The video opened at a pace of 247,900 views a day, 14 times a normal first day on this channel (17,982).

The Raiders’ newest starting QB is thankful for all that Kirk Cousins did for him #nfl #football

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Kirk Cousins could have kept his experience to himself. Instead, Fernando Mendoza says, the veteran taught him how to study film, handle the starting quarterback's job and approach the work that surrounds it.

Mendoza uses a Raiders press-conference appearance to make that generosity public. In the clip posted by NFL on FOX, he thanks Cousins and his family for welcoming him into their household, then explains how freely Cousins shared his knowledge. This was not just help with a particular play: Mendoza describes a mentor willing to open up every part of his career approach.

The Short drew roughly a quarter of a million views in its first day, far beyond the channel's usual start. Its comment section was about seventeen times busier than usual, too. Among the responses are Vikings and Broncos supporters setting team loyalties aside to wish Mendoza well, along with viewers imagining Cousins becoming a coach.

The tribute adds the younger quarterback's perspective to Cousins' Minnesota return, following his own account of the family decision, as we reported here. Where Cousins described what went into leaving, Mendoza explains what he left behind: practical lessons in doing the job, shared without holding anything back.

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What viewers say

That QB room was probably the nicest in NFL history
@Sublime228See it on YouTube
As a Viking fan, I like this Mendoza kid and wish the Raiders success in the future. Thank you for Kirk.
@Verd254See it on YouTube
As a Bronco fan, I hate that really like this kid. I hope he thrives when he's not playing us.
@BennyBrummSee it on YouTube

3 more comments

Kirk Cousins will always be a member of Raider family. What a great dude. Have always loved him and supported him.
@dannyVCASee it on YouTube
I want cousins coaching someday that dude is a players' player and has so much knowledge
@Beev37See it on YouTube
He’s got soul for saying that. Takes courage to show appreciation when all eyes are on you
@ABOJOHNSON29See it on YouTube

Public comments from the video's page on YouTube