The Las Vegas Raiders signed Kirk Cousins on Thursday to serve as a bridge quarterback for the highly anticipated first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza. The goal is for Mendoza to sit out a year and learn from the 4x-Pro Bowler, given the success of young quarterbacks who did not start right away, including Tom Brady sitting behind Drew Bledsoe, Philip Rivers sitting behind Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers sitting behind Brett Favre, Patrick Mahomes sitting behind Alex Smith, and Jordan Love sitting behind the aforementioned Rodgers. The Raiders also needed to sign a QB since Aidan O’Connell was the only one under contract following Geno Smith’s trade.
Many fans are curious about how long, if at all, Mendoza will sit behind Cousins. The answer lies in the future first overall pick’s development and the unique structure of the veteran’s contract
The Las Vegas Raiders’ 4x-Pro Bowler’s contract details have been revealed
NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network,Kirk Cousins will make $20 million fully guaranteed for the 2026 season. This total includes the $8.7 million the Falcons are paying him, the $1.3 million league minimum from the Raiders, and a $10 million roster bonus that is fully guaranteed at signing. The roster bonus is due on the third day of the new league year next March and is not subject to offsets, meaning Las Vegas will pay him $10 million regardless of whether he is on the roster or signs with another team next offseason.
Cousins also has a two-year, $80 million team option for the 2027 and 2028 seasons (which likely gets declined) and will have void years in 2029 and 2030. On paper, the contract is a three-year, $81.3 million deal, and a five-year, $172 million deal if you include the void years. But in reality, it’s a one-year, fully guaranteed $20 million deal.
New Raiders QB Kirk Cousins will now make $20 million fully guaranteed for playing the 2026 season, per sources.
That’s double the $10M guarantee Cousins had left on his Falcons contract, and puts him in line to potentially be the Week 1 starter in Las Vegas.
Here’s how it… pic.twitter.com/QhpF8pE0o5
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 2, 2026
Fans react to the contract details
USATSI 22106055 168400517 lowres
Dec 14, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders fans cheer before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
his agent needs a statue somewhere man
— sam (@fvckeIonmusk) April 2, 2026
The contract is diabolical wtf
— Fantasy God (@FantasyGod03) April 2, 2026
Who is this mans agent?
— Godblessedchild 🇯🇲 (@JohnoyManUtd) April 2, 2026
I believe @AndrewBrandt has him as a unanimous first ballot business hall of famer
— Eric Johnson (@EricJoh80003972) April 2, 2026
He really does have the best Agent in Sports
— Dom (@DdogLukas) April 2, 2026
WTF…. how anyone pays him 20m guaranteed is beyond me. Unbelievable.
— Marcus Zahn (@Dolphini2) April 2, 2026
Great job , by the raiders ..solid bridge QB .
— The Dogefather🌕 (@dogefather_Twit) April 2, 2026
$20M fully guaranteed to play in Vegas? Kirk living the dream.
— IbtaiHaj (@iamibtaihaj08) April 2, 2026