Kirk Cousins Lands with Las Vegas Raiders

Kirk Cousins, a 14-year NFL veteran, is heading to the Las Vegas Raiders, according to his agent Mike McCartney, who announced the signing on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. This marks a new chapter for the quarterback after a short and unexpected period with the Atlanta Falcons.

Unexpected Turn After Falcons Deal

The decision comes after Cousins was surprised by the Falcons’ selection of Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, shortly after he signed a $180 million contract with the team. He will now likely be paired with Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner who is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Falcons’ Explanation for Draft Decision

Atlanta Falcons General Manager Ian Cunningham informed Cousins of the team’s plans in late February. Cunningham explained the decision on 92.3 The Game, stating, “Out of respect for Kirk and, felt like that was the right decision.” He also noted that the team had restructured Cousins’ contract, reducing his 2026 base salary from $35 million to $2.1 million.

Recent Performance and Career Highlights

Cousins’ career has faced challenges since leaving the Minnesota Vikings, where he played from 2018-2023. During his two seasons with the Falcons, he appeared in 24 games, throwing for 28 touchdowns but also 21 interceptions.

Previous Successes

Prior to his time in Atlanta, Cousins enjoyed a successful run, earning four Pro Bowl selections over 11 seasons with the Washington Commanders and Vikings. He surpassed 4,000 passing yards in seven seasons and achieved a career-high of 35 passing touchdowns in 2020.

Other NFL News

In other news, Hendon Hooker will have another opportunity with the Tennessee Titans under Robert Saleh, following a brief stint with the New York Jets. There are also reports of potential interest in a return to the Vikings for Cousins.