Kirk Cousins
Getty
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 22: Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on prior to a game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins finally got the shot he’s been looking for all offseason when the Las Vegas Raiders inked him to a contract as a bridge starter to whomever their QB of the future ends up being.
Unfortunately, Cousins was not in the locker room long before he inadvertently pulled back the curtain with regards to that particular mystery.
That the Raiders intend to select Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first pick in the upcoming NFL draft may be the worst kept secret in the entire league, but Las Vegas has done its utmost for weeks to neither confirm or deny what seems to be an inevitable eventuality.
However, during an interview this week, Cousins undid all of the Raiders’ silence with one forehead-slapping response to a question about Mendoza and his ‘potential’ future in Las Vegas.
“I don’t wanna start unless I’m the best option,” Cousins said. “So, and I told Klint [Kubiak] that. The best player should play. As long as that’s the case, I have no qualms with however it plays out.”
“But I do think Fernando is going to be a great addition to our team,” Cousins continued. “I think he’s gonna have a great future in the league. I have no problem being a voice in the room to kind of help him to the degree that I can. He’s gonna have great support all around him.”
Kirk Cousins Likely to Start Week 1, May Play Just Single Season for Raiders
kirk cousins
GettyLas Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Cousins inked a five-year deal with the Raiders heading into his age-38 campaign, but in reality the contract is essentially a $20 million agreement for one season with a bunch of bells and whistles that allow the Raiders to do some salary cap magic in 2026 and moving forward.
The widespread assumption is that Cousins will start for the Raiders in Week 1 and hold that job until Mendoza is ready to step into the NFL game.
Las Vegas spent a ton of money in free agency and has several quality draft assets at its disposal after a 3-14 campaign in 2025, but it remains unlikely that the Raiders will field a play0ff-competitive roster next season, so rushing Mendoza into the starting lineup is an unnecessary risk with minimal payoff.
Kirk Cousins, Vikings Reunion in 2026 Had Steam Before Kyler Murray’s Release in Arizona
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
GettyMinnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy.
Cousins might have ended up back in Minnesota competing with JJ McCarthy for the QB1 job this offseason had the Arizona Cardinals not released Kyler Murray with more than $36 million in guaranteed money owed him in 2026.
That move allowed the Vikings to ink Murray to a $1.3 million veterans league minimum, which made far more sense than bringing back Cousins in the short-term.
Murray is 29 years old, a two-time Pro Bowler and a former No. 1 overall pick who has a chance to potentially resurrect his career in Minnesota under head coach Kevin O’Connell and a considerably better roster than he has had in Arizona across recent years.
That said, if Murray doesn’t work out, the Vikings could be back in the QB market and hunting a veteran bridge quarterback of their own next spring. In that case, a reunion with Cousins could still be a possibility before his career is done, though that won’t be happening in 2026.