Raiders laying foundation for long-term success with young core
According to Vincent Bonsignore, the Las Vegas Raiders is thinking beyond immediate results—and it starts with the quarterback position.
Watch: Vincent Bonsignore How Quickly Can The Raiders Start Contending | 21 mins
The Raiders may not be a playoff lock just yet, but the foundation for a long-term turnaround is clearly taking shape.
According to The California Post’s Vincent Bonsignore, the organization is thinking beyond immediate results—and it starts with quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Bonsignore, speaking on Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys, pointed to veteran addition Kirk Cousins as a key bridge piece, both on and off the field.
“An opportunity to potentially play, maybe it’s the full season, maybe it’s just the first six games,” Bonsignore said. “But he also sees an opportunity to reconnect with coaches he really respects.”
That familiarity—especially with first-year head coach Klint Kubiak—creates stability for a team trying to reset its culture. Bonsignore emphasized that Cousins understands his role.
(Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
“He comes in eyes wide open. Everything’s been talked about. There’s not going to be any surprises.”
Still, the Raiders’ future clearly revolves around Mendoza. Bonsignore was especially impressed with his Pro Day, describing a level of preparation that stood out even among top prospects.
“I’ve been to a lot of these things, and I’ve never seen a quarterback prepare the way Fernando got prepared. It was a good 45–50 minutes of preparation time.”
That attention to detail translated to leadership. “He was barking out the name and the route, making sure everybody in the building understood who was running the route,” Bonsignore said. “I thought that was kind of cool. I’d never seen that before.”
Perhaps most intriguing was Mendoza’s dual personality—locked in on the field, relaxed off it. Bonsignore compared it to Kobe Bryant, noting, “It’s two different people. Guys that need to be a certain way to get to a certain place.”
Beyond quarterback, the Raiders are also investing heavily in offensive weapons. Running back Ashton Jeanty is viewed as a potential star.
“I truly believe that he’s got Offensive Player of the Year capabilities,” Bonsignore said, adding the team will manage his workload to maximize efficiency.
(Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
Tight end Brock Bowers is another centerpiece. “He’s a freak of nature. It’s kind of a marvel to watch him,” Bonsignore said, highlighting how improved quarterback play and line protection could unlock even more production.
As for expectations, patience is key.
“I don’t think it’s going to be 2026,” Bonsignore admitted. “But everything they’re doing is pointing toward making a big move in 2027.”
For the Raiders, that timeline may feel distant—but for the first time in years, there’s a clear plan in place.
Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.
Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
Click here for full episodes of The Drive Guys.
More NFL content from Sactown Sports
- 49ers leave owners meetings with optimism & key questions ahead
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- 49ers ‘in no rush’ to remove WR Brandon Aiyuk from roster
- Matt Barrows on the 49ers’ Draft Plan & Positional Priorities
Upcoming Raiders & NFL Offseason Schedule
- Wednesday, April 15 – Deadline for pre-draft visits/workouts with prospects
- Friday, April 17 – Restricted free agent offer sheet deadline
- Thursday, April 23 – Saturday, April 25 – 2026 NFL Draft
- Mid-May (approx.) – Rookie minicamps begin (team-specific)
- Late May – June (approx.) – OTAs (Organized Team Activities)
- Early–Mid June (approx.) – Mandatory Minicamps
- Wednesday, July 15 – Deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term deal
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