Kirk Cousins has plenty of choices.

The seasoned quarterback consistently finds himself with options.

Cousins made history as the first NFL quarterback to secure a fully guaranteed contract long before Deshaun Watson’s ill-fated deal with the Browns, making the leap from Washington to Minnesota in 2018. Since then, he has effectively been on contracts with complete guarantees ever since the Commanders tagged him as a franchise player in 2016.

His business acumen in football is something few can rival. He remained a sought-after bridge starter despite facing challenges during a tumultuous period in Atlanta (dealing with an Achilles injury and a mismatched scheme). Reports from various league sources reveal that during his 2026 negotiations, Cousins expressed a strong desire to reconnect with the leading offensive minds from his last playoff appearance with the Vikings, notably head coach Kevin O’Connell (with whom he achieved a 13-4 record in 2022) or the new Raiders coach and former Vikings offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak.

Ultimately, Cousins landed in an advantageous position, having accrued over $320 million in career earnings (per spotrac.com) and entering his most promising phase since departing Minnesota. However, the lingering question remains: how long can he hold the reins, especially with the top overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, waiting in the wings for his opportunity to step in this season? For now, the Raiders—backed by minority owner Tom Brady, widely regarded as the greatest QB—appear to be in no rush to manage that transition and feel confident about Cousins guiding the NFL’s last-place team from 2025 to greater stability before Mendoza ascends the depth chart.

There’s solid reasoning to believe Cousins can deliver, putting forth a strong effort until the inevitable arrives for Mendoza to take over.

“He didn’t have many appealing options,” one league insider involved in the offseason quarterback market remarked. “Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland weren’t ideal fits. Even if San Francisco considered trading (backup) Mac Jones, returning to Kyle (Shanahan, 49ers head coach who drafted Cousins in Washington) wasn’t in the cards.”

“Minnesota wanted the first shot at (Kyler) Murray, and he’s younger and more athletic. For Cousins, that’s preferable to Las Vegas. He’s open to mentoring the younger player while continuing to play. With Klint back alongside him and Brady overseeing the operation—keeping quarterback needs at the forefront—it’s a favorable situation.”

Cousins Celebrates Another Win.

Cousins’ base salary for 2026 mirrors that of Murray, who recently joined the Vikings and Tua Tagovailoa, who succeeded Cousins in Atlanta. Nonetheless, with a guaranteed bonus, he’s set to earn over $11 million this season. As he approaches 38, Cousins remains passionate and competitive, recently getting into a scrimmage with 6-foot-5 edge defender Maxx Crosby at training camp. He’s not interested in merely observing from the sidelines; he grasps the intricate details and nuances of Kubiak’s system, something Mendoza is still learning.

“I wouldn’t put the kid out there either,” former Raiders MVP quarterback and current NFL analyst Rich Gannon stated during Raiders preseason broadcasts. “I feel confident about Cousins and his capabilities in this offense. Klint doesn’t need to slow down the installation process, allowing Mendoza to learn as they progress.”

Practically speaking, Cousins is well-prepared to lead them in early games, especially with an offensive line still adjusting to new members. Mendoza primarily operated from the shotgun at Indiana, where he unexpectedly led the struggling program to a national title, while Kubiak’s method involves working more under center to leverage play-action and execute deep throws through five- and seven-step drops.

Navigating Unfamiliar Ground for the Rookie, but Right in Cousins’ Wheelhouse.

“Klint understands what he has in Cousins,” Gannon added. “He’s experienced in play installation and calling plays effectively. This isn’t new territory for him—and I genuinely believe they’ll perform well offensively.”

Statistically, Cousins boasts a career passer rating of 114.3 when executing under-center play-action passes, with an impressive 72 touchdowns against just 15 interceptions. While the year 2021 seems distant, he achieved a 123.5 rating on such passes during that season—his only year working with Kubiak (11 TDs, 2 INTs, 10 yards/attempt across 136 dropbacks). Part of Cousins’ struggles in Atlanta stemmed from excessive reliance on the pistol formation, particularly following a significant injury. Many league insiders noted that former Falcons coordinator Zac Robinson was ill-equipped as a play-caller, resulting in a lack of rapport and trust issues between him and Cousins.

With Kubiak, that dynamic is a non-issue. Their established rapport allows them to communicate effectively, knowing which tactics to employ or avoid. While Cousins may be older, athleticism isn’t his primary asset. Robinson faced challenges as a play-caller; Cousins thrives under a visionary leader. Kubiak, who successfully transitioned Sam Darnold to a Lombardi Trophy-winning performance in Seattle last season, fits that description.

For the Raiders, even securing a successful half-season from Cousins could be viewed as a significant achievement, especially given their current rebuilding phase.

“I believe this was an astute decision for the Raiders,” stated NFL analyst and two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Phil Simms. “Cousins demonstrated considerable improvement last year in comparison to the previous one. It’s an excellent fit and precisely the type of player they need.”

The Raiders anticipate a stronger second season for running back Ashton Jeanty after a challenging year marred by poor offensive line performance and subpar quarterback play. Furthermore, Cousins has enjoyed utilizing tight ends throughout his career and may have one of the best combinations in the league with Brock Bowers—a true size/speed matchup—and Michael Mayer, who the Raiders opted to retain during last year’s trade deadline, thus keeping that duo intact (Cousins has completed over 73% of his passes to tight ends with a remarkable 105.3 rating).

“We inquired about him,” one general manager shared regarding Mayer during last year’s trade talks, “but they weren’t very open to trading. I also think Brady recognized they were drafting a quarterback at the top of 2026 and was keen on implementing 12 personnel (two tight ends, one running back, and one receiver) moving forward.”

The Raiders still need to add a receiver to fully reconstruct their offense, and they might also require an additional offensive lineman. Nevertheless, Cousins possesses the capabilities to efficiently guide them through the initial phase of the season, possibly longer. Mendoza stands to gain immensely from observing how Cousins reads a defense, audibles, and misdirects opponents with pre-snap looks.

However, it might be wise for Mendoza to refrain from emulating Cousins’ confrontational style with Crosby; some lessons are better learned through observation than personal experience.