john spytek
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Klint Kubiak with John Spytek.
The Las Vegas Raiders continue to weigh their options at quarterback. Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the future at the position for the team, but they need another veteran on the roster.
Aidan O’Connell is under contract and has starting experience, but the Raiders would be wise to add another option. The team was looking into Joe Flacco, but he decided to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Raiders have been linked to Kirk Cousins, who previously worked with head coach Klint Kubiak when they were both with the Minnesota Vikings. Saad Yousuf of The Athletic wants to see Cousins sign with the Raiders this offseason.
“After the way things went in Atlanta, Cousins likely has some acceptance for his situation, which is that he is no longer a clear-cut NFL starter, as he was in Minnesota and what he probably expected to be when he signed with the Falcons,” Yousuf wrote. “He’s a veteran guy who has seen a lot and can be a solid mentor to the expected No. 1 pick, Fernando Mendoza. The Raiders’ front office has also made it clear that they’re not sold on making Mendoza the Day 1 starter as a rookie. Cousins would give the franchise a good stopgap option, while the Raiders would give Cousins an opportunity to display to the rest of the league what he has left in the tank.”
What’s Cousins Waiting For?
At this point, Cousins could likely be on the Raiders’ roster right now if he wanted to. The problem is that Las Vegas isn’t going to pay him much to come over. It’s hard to imagine him getting much more than a one-year, $10 million contract.
If he waits, there’s a chance he could get a better deal elsewhere. Plus, he might not be that keen on being a stopgap option who’s waiting to be replaced by a rookie.
That said, Kubiak and Cousins should have a strong relationship from their Minnesota days. Cousins knows the offense well and would be a perfect mentor for Mendoza. Time will tell if that’s a role he’s willing to play in 2026.
Raiders Named Bottom-Five Team
The Raiders have made some big moves in free agency, and still stand to get better with the draft. They have a chance to be one of the most improved teams in the NFL in 2026.
However, they still have to prove that they can field a winner. While Yousuf likes what the Raiders have done so far, he still thinks they’re the fifth-worst teams in the NFL right now.
“It’s hard to judge this team when you don’t know who will be playing quarterback for them in 2026,” Yousuf wrote. “It could be Mendoza, or it could be a veteran stopgap. It could also be a combination, with Mendoza taking over midseason. Regardless, the Raiders are still at least one more offseason away from being in any playoff contention, especially in a brutal division.”
The Raiders were the worst team in the NFL last season, so even rising to fifth would be an improvement.