Rich Eisen· Aug 14, 2026
Eisen said that although Mendoza has the talent, Cousins looked good in the preseason opener and will be the one who gets the starting job, barring diminishing arm strength or mobility.
“Mendoza has it, but Cousins look nice. And I think, again, he's gonna get the start.”
said on air, transcribed by us · The Rich Eisen Show (podcast) · read the original →
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- Depth Chart CallsKirk CousinsAug 14, 2026
Kirk Cousins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Mendoza has it, but Cousins look nice. And I think, again, he's gonna get the start. And unless he starts to have diminishing returns where his arm strength isn't there or his ability to move...”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Hondo CarpenterRoster Spot Calls · Kirk CousinsHit · 100Carpenter projects the Raiders' 53-man roster will include 10 defensive backs (four safeties and six cornerbacks) and three quarterbacks, with Kirk Cousins kept barring a compelling trade offer.
- Daniel JeremiahTrade and Signing Calls · Kirk CousinsMiss · 0Jeremiah walked through his mock draft 3.0, slotting Cam Ward first overall to Tennessee, Abdul Carter to Cleveland at two, Shedeur Sanders to the Giants at three and Travis Hunter to New England at four, plus roughly twenty other first-round pairings. He also called Matthew Golden the first receiver off the board, said Tyler Booker would climb back into the latter third of the first round, expected Kirk Cousins to be traded, thought Jaire Alexander's Packers days were numbered, and predicted Cam Robinson would start at left tackle in Houston.
- Colin CowherdTrade and Signing Calls · Kirk CousinsMiss · 0Cowherd laid out his full NFC projections: division order in all four divisions, four division winners (Eagles, Lions, Falcons, Rams), three wild cards (Commanders, Bears, Seahawks), and predicted the Falcons, Bears and Seahawks as new playoff teams. He also predicted Tennessee would be a surprise team with Cam Ward.
- John MiddlekauffTrade and Signing Calls · Kirk CousinsMiss · 0Middlekauff predicts Kirk Cousins will be cut within about a week, that Sam Darnold will land a multi-year deal worth roughly $100 million as an immediate starter, that Jaxson Dart will gain momentum as a potential first-round pick, that cam Ward may skip throwing at the combine, and that Derek Stingley will get around $100 million this offseason.
- Gregg RosenthalTrade and Signing Calls · Kirk CousinsMiss · 0Rosenthal made a series of offseason personnel predictions at the combine: he believes Kirk Cousins will be traded away from Atlanta, that Justin Tucker will never play for the Ravens or in the NFL again, that Joey Bosa should/will be released by the Chargers, that Ronnie Stanley will re-sign with Baltimore rather than reach free agency, and that Chris Godwin will re-sign with Tampa Bay. He also expects Jaire Alexander not to return to Green Bay, Jonathan Allen to be traded, Jonah Williams to remain a Cardinal, and Brian Thomas Jr. to improve.
- John MiddlekauffTrade and Signing Calls · Kirk CousinsMiss · 0Middlekauff predicts Kirk Cousins will be cut within the next week to ten days, and says Jackson Dart will build momentum into becoming a first-round pick.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Garrett PodellDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100Podell ranks all 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks entering Week 3 of the 2026 season, with Josh Allen first, Patrick Mahomes second and Case Keenum last. He also expects Kyler Murray and Michael Penix Jr. to return to action in Week 3 and Case Keenum to possibly start for the Bears.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100A roundup of NFC injury news expects Jameis Winston to start for the Giants in any games Jaxson Dart misses, and suggests third-stringer Case Keenum could end up starting for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3 with both Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent sidelined.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100With Caleb Williams injured and Tyson Bagent in concussion protocol, third-string quarterback Case Keenum is expected to start for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Jonah ColemanMiss · 0In his Week 3 waiver column, Fitzmaurice makes several depth-chart calls around injuries: Jonah Coleman leading Denver's backfield, Marcus Mariota taking over in Washington, Michael Penix Jr. starting once healthy, and Malik Washington serving as Miami's top receiver, plus availability expectations for Detroit's injured safeties.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Aaron JonesHit · 100In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.