LAS VEGAS — With eyes wide open, knowing full well that Fernando Mendoza is walking through the door any minute now, Kirk Cousins sized up the opportunities in front of him and decided he belonged in Las Vegas with the Raiders.
It’s probably not the conclusion the 14-year veteran would have come to three years ago, not with the Raiders all but guaranteed to select Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and basing almost every decision they make these days on how it will benefit the soon-to-be face of their franchise.
Underneath all of Cousins’ good manners, politeness and faith-based foundation burns the raging fire of a steely eyed competitor. And the belief in himself and his abilities to match.
A younger Cousins would have sought a less convoluted quarterback situation that offered a clearer and longer path to a starting role.
It’s that very mentality that helped Cousins go from being a fourth-round pick to become one of the NFL’s most statistically effective and highest-paid quarterbacks during his career. Cousins has thrown for 44,700 yards and 298 touchdowns while playing for the Commanders, Vikings and Falcons, and earned more than $300 million.
But time, injuries and the realization that he’s much closer to the end of his career than the beginning or middle have a way of changing priorities, objectives and dispositions.
The Raiders offered a chance to reconnect with a coaching staff that helped him reach the pinnacle of his football powers, a great part of the country to lay down roots and a chance to serve any number of roles as they prepare Mendoza to be the quarterback that leads them back to greatness.
And at this stage of his career, all those things matter to him.
“I believe strongly you win with people,” Cousins said. “And I think getting around people that I felt really good about was probably a big reason why it made sense to me.”
As for the various roles he might play in Las Vegas, they range from being the club’s seasonlong starter in 2026 to being a veteran mentor to Mendoza and an insurance policy in case he falters or gets injured.
Now 37 years old, Cousins is at peace with however it plays out. In fact, he stressed that very sentiment when he talked things out with new Raiders coach Klint Kubiak, with whom he worked in Minnesota when both were with the Vikings from 2019 to 2021.
If the Raiders ultimately decide Mendoza is the best option out of the gate, so be it. If it’s six games into the season or the last month, that is fine, too.
“I think we all want to play, but I made this clear to Klint that the best player needs to play,” Cousins said. “If that’s not me, I don’t want to be out there. I don’t think that’s the best thing for the team. If I am the best option, then I believe it’s important that those guys are out there. But I’m excited to get the chance to lead and help influence in the locker room and do my part, do my role, and just, most importantly, help our team win.”
It took some contemplation, a few prayers and a well-timed phone call from Tom Brady, the Raiders’ minority owner and their de facto president of football operations, but ultimately, Cousins went with his instincts and signed with the Raiders.
“And who knows, maybe my gut was wrong, but I got to go with my gut, and my gut said that this is where I needed to be,” Cousins said. “And you’ve got to kind of take that for what it is and let the chips fall where they may.”
Now two years removed from the devastating Achilles injury he suffered in his last year with the Vikings, Cousins’ deal with the Raiders is essentially for one year and $20 million. Of which $8.3 million will be paid by the Falcons, with whom he spent the last two seasons.
It’s a far cry from the full guarantee Cousins got on contracts with the Vikings and Falcons, totaling $240 million, but Cousins is at peace with the chance he has to wrap up his career in Las Vegas.
And perhaps be one of the catalysts that helps put one of the most iconic franchises in sports back on the right path. That part of it struck Cousins as he made his way around the Raiders’ facility the last two days.
“I love seeing the quotes from Al Davis all over the building,” Cousins said. “I think my favorite is that ‘The greatness of the Raiders lies in its future.’ I think that’s such a cool quote to really say the best is yet to come. And I think that’s a quote filled with hope, and I love walking by it every day. I love seeing ‘The Autumn Wind’ written on the wall, too, as you walk in.”
As for Mendoza, Cousins has already begun the process of mentoring the Raiders’ soon-to-be rookie quarterback. In fact, Mendoza’s top-30 visit with the Raiders this week coincided with Cousins officially coming on board and the club opening the first phase of its offseason program.
In a clear sign that Cousins is already embracing his teaching role, he and Mendoza actually watched film together this week.
“He seems like a high-caliber person, and if we’re fortunate enough to get him here, then it’ll be a privilege to work together,” Cousins said.
