HENDERSON, Nev.—The Las Vegas Raiders wanted a bridge quarterback and mentor to add to their roster, but it isn’t as if the quality that they craved is just available in any aisle of your local convenience store.
One name that has consistently been mentioned for the role, who would be ideal to mix with presumed new franchise quarterback Fernando Mendoza, is former Michigan State Spartans superstar signal-caller Kirk Cousins.
Congrats @KirkCousins8 agreeing to a contract with the @Raiders
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) April 2, 2026
Today, that is now the reality.
Cousins played for new Silver and Black coach Klint Kubiak in Minnesota for three seasons, and the fit is perfect in Las Vegas.
Kirk Cousins
Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
What the Raiders Are Thinking
Kubiak spoke this week at the NFL Owners’ meetings about the franchise’s unity in developing a young QB, and all but said the need for someone like Cousins.
"I think in a perfect world that he's watching a mature adult go and run an offense and run the team, but the situation is you might have that player, you might not. You might not have that veteran just showing the way, so he might come in and have to play immediately, but you'd rather him learn before he gets in the game.”
He elaborated more, adding, “You don't always get to pick. Just doesn't work out the exact way you want it to, but at the end of the day, you want to make sure that you're bringing in an individual, drafting a guy that is mature enough to handle some adversity, whether it's him starting the first game or him starting first game in year two."
Kirk Cousins
Dec 29, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) celebrates after a victory over the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images