Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza Dive into the World of ‘Love Island’

As anticipated, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who recently led Indiana to a national championship, with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. With this decision widely expected, I found myself hoping that the Raiders would bring veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, 37, onto the team to guide the young star. Both players share similar traits, both on and off the field, despite a 22-year age gap. After parting ways with the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins joined the Raiders on April 6, paving the way for an intriguing quarterback duo when Mendoza was drafted just weeks later.

The burning question now is who will take the starting position in Week 1: Cousins or Mendoza? Will the Raiders improve their standings next season? And can Mendoza become the franchise quarterback that the team has desperately needed for many years? While these uncertainties remain, I’m ready to proclaim the Cousins-Mendoza partnership as a promising venture.

The two quarterbacks recently appeared together in a Raiders schedule release video that humorously mimicked the film “Step Brothers.” Their comedic chemistry continued in a new Instagram clip where they attempted to discuss the reality show “Love Island,” which aired on Monday, aptly titled “30 seconds of Kirk Cousins trying to understand ‘Love Island.’”

Cousins, visibly puzzled, held a smoothie and asked, “What is the premise of the reality show?” Mendoza then chimed in, seeking clarity, “How do you win ‘Love Island’? Just find true love or something?” It was clear that Cousins was unfamiliar with the hit show.

“Love Island” first debuted in the UK in July 2015 and quickly became a sensation, leading to spinoffs in Australia and the United States in subsequent years. The show captures the lives of attractive young adults living together in a villa, with constant surveillance by cameras. Filled with challenges, temptations, and a considerable amount of drama, the series culminates in weekly recouplings, where singles are eliminated until a winning couple is decided by public vote. If Cousins can keep track of his “computation notebooks,” as showcased in Netflix’s “Quarterback,” he should be able to wrap his head around the dynamics of “Love Island” before the premiere of “Love Island USA” on Peacock this Tuesday.