Raiders Add Veteran Quarterback Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins has officially signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, according to an announcement made by his agent on Thursday morning. The signing brings a seasoned quarterback to the team, strategically timed ahead of their expected selection of Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft.

Agent Confirms Signing, Player Hints at New Chapter

Agent Mike McCartney shared the news of the signing via social media, though specific contract details were not immediately disclosed. Cousins himself alluded to the move on social media, posting “The Autumn Wind…” – a reference to the Raiders’ iconic theme song.

Raiders Prioritize Quarterback Development

Raiders coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek have previously indicated their preference for a veteran presence to guide a potentially rookie quarterback. They expressed a desire to avoid immediately placing a rookie into a starting role.

Fernando Mendoza Expected to be Top Pick

Heisman Trophy Winner Draws NFL Attention

The Raiders are widely expected to draft Fernando Mendoza, who recently won the Heisman Trophy while leading Indiana to an unexpected national championship. Kubiak stated on Tuesday, “Ideally, you don’t want him to start from Day One…It does help the player if they can sit behind a mature adult and watch how they run the show.”

Cousins' Recent Career History

Cousins, 37, has 14 seasons of NFL experience, most recently playing for the Atlanta Falcons. He joined the Falcons on a four-year, $180 million contract but was released after they drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick.

During his time in Atlanta, Cousins started 22 of 34 games, achieving a 12-10 record. He led the league with 16 interceptions in 2024 despite only playing in 14 games. Throughout his career, Cousins holds an overall record of 88-77-2 while playing for Washington, Minnesota, and Atlanta.

His most successful season came in 2022 with the Minnesota Vikings, where he led the team to a 13-4 record.

Mendoza Completes Pro Day

Fernando Mendoza completed his pro day workout on Wednesday at the Indiana facility, with representatives from all 32 NFL teams in attendance.