Trending Now - Kirk Cousins Embraces Challenge as Raiders' Starting QB

WHO:

NY Post - Kirk Cousins, 14-year veteran quarterback, is now with the Las Vegas Raiders.

ESPN - Head coach Klint Kubiak is leading the Raiders.

ESPN - Fernando Mendoza, expected to be drafted by the Raiders, is a Heisman Trophy winner.

ESPN - Aidan O'Connell is also part of the Raiders' quarterback room.

ESPN - Minority owner Tom Brady was present at the Raiders' facility.

WHAT:

ESPN - Cousins stated, "If that's not me, I don't want to be out there," emphasizing his commitment to being the best option for the team.

ESPN - Cousins expressed that he is excited to lead and influence in the locker room, stating, "I'm excited to get the chance to lead, help influence in the locker room, do my part and most importantly, help our team win."

ESPN - Cousins remarked, "Not a lot of ownership groups would have someone with that kind of on-field experience that can talk ball with you at the level that he can," referring to Tom Brady.

ESPN - Cousins stated, "If I am the best option, then I believe it's important that those guys are out there," emphasizing his commitment to the team's success.

ESPN - Cousins mentioned that he met Mendoza during the Raiders' offseason workout program on April 5th, 2026, and expressed that it would be a privilege to play with him.

ESPN - Cousins noted that he has watched Mendoza from a distance and believes he has a "natural feel for the position," stating, "At his stage, he's much ahead of me."

ESPN - Cousins stated, "With eyes wide open, knowing full well that Fernando Mendoza is walking through the door any minute now, I decided I belonged in Las Vegas with the Raiders."

ESPN - Cousins expressed that it would be a privilege to play with Mendoza, stating, "At his stage, he's much ahead of me."

ESPN - Cousins stated, "the best player needs to play," indicating he is open to competition for the starting role.

ESPN - Cousins acknowledged that he has plenty of catching up to do in Kubiak's system, saying, "I'm asking [Janocko], 'What does that word mean? What does this word mean?'"

ESPN - Cousins mentioned he is learning the terminology of Kubiak's system as if he were a rookie, saying, "I need to learn this like I'm a rookie, because this is all new to me."

ESPN - Cousins expressed excitement about working with Tom Brady, citing his on-field experience as a competitive advantage.

ESPN - Cousins stated, "I want to make the most of it," indicating his desire to finish his career strong in Las Vegas.

ESPN - Cousins stated, "If that's not me, I don't want to be out there," emphasizing his commitment to being the best option for the team.

ESPN - Cousins remarked, "Not a lot of ownership groups would have someone with that kind of on-field experience that can talk ball with you at the level that he can," referring to Tom Brady.

ESPN - Cousins stated, "If that's not me, I don't want to be out there," emphasizing his commitment to being the best option for the team.

ESPN - Cousins expressed that it would be a privilege to play with Mendoza, stating, "At his stage, he's much ahead of me."

ESPN - Cousins will receive a fully guaranteed $10 million roster bonus on the third day of the 2027 new league year.

ESPN - Cousins will be paid $20 million in guaranteed money in 2026, marking the 11th consecutive season that his contract will be fully guaranteed.

ESPN - The deal includes a club option for two years at $80 million and could be worth up to $172 million over five years.

ESPN - The Falcons will pay Cousins $8.7 million in 2026, while the Raiders will pay another $1.3 million.

ESPN - Cousins stated, "If I am the best option, then I believe it's important that those guys are out there," emphasizing his commitment to the team's success.

ESPN - Cousins mentioned that he met Mendoza during the Raiders' offseason workout program on April 5th, 2026, and expressed that it would be a privilege to play with him.

ESPN - Cousins noted that he has watched Mendoza from a distance and believes he has a "natural feel for the position," stating, "At his stage, he's much ahead of me."

NY Post - Cousins stated, "With eyes wide open, knowing full well that Fernando Mendoza is walking through the door any minute now, I decided I belonged in Las Vegas with the Raiders."

ESPN - Cousins mentioned that he has watched Mendoza from a distance and believes he has a "natural feel for the position."

ESPN - Cousins remarked, "Not a lot of ownership groups would have someone with that kind of on-field experience that can talk ball with you at the level that he can," referring to Tom Brady.

ESPN - Cousins stated, "If that's not me, I don't want to be out there," emphasizing his commitment to being the best option for the team.

ESPN - Cousins expressed that it would be a privilege to play with Mendoza, stating, "At his stage, he's much ahead of me."

ESPN - Cousins will receive a fully guaranteed $10 million roster bonus on the third day of the 2027 new league year.

NY Post - Cousins is ready to embrace the challenge of being the starting quarterback for the Raiders.

ESPN - Cousins stated, "the best player needs to play," indicating he is open to competition for the starting role.

ESPN - Cousins signed a contract with the Raiders that includes $20 million in guaranteed money for 2026.

ESPN - The contract could be worth up to $172 million over five years, with a club option for two years at $80 million.

ESPN - Cousins will receive an $8.7 million payment from the Falcons in 2026 and $1.3 million from the Raiders.

WHERE:

NY Post - The events are taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada.

ESPN - Cousins was present in Henderson, Nevada, for the Raiders' offseason workout program.

WHEN:

ESPN - Cousins attended the first day of the Raiders' offseason workout program on Tuesday, April 5th, 2026.

ESPN - Cousins was signed by the Raiders less than a month after being released by the Falcons in March 2026.

WHY:

ESPN - Cousins joined the Raiders knowing they are expected to draft a quarterback, indicating a competitive environment for the starting position.

ESPN - Kubiak believes a young quarterback should learn behind a veteran, which influenced the decision to sign Cousins.

HOW:

ESPN - Cousins acknowledged that he has plenty of catching up to do in Kubiak's system, saying, "I'm asking [Janocko], 'What does that word mean? What does this word mean?'"

ESPN - Cousins mentioned he is learning the terminology of Kubiak's system as if he were a rookie, saying, "I need to learn this like I'm a rookie, because this is all new to me."

ESPN - Cousins is learning Kubiak's system, stating he needs to catch up and asking questions about terminology.

ESPN - Cousins expressed excitement about working with Tom Brady, citing his on-field experience as a competitive advantage.

(UPDATED April 9, 2026 15:21 UTC)

Kirk Cousins expressed his commitment to being the best option for the Raiders, stating that he wants to lead and influence in the locker room to help the team win. He also mentioned his excitement about working with Tom Brady, highlighting Brady's on-field experience as a competitive advantage, and acknowledged that he has much to learn in Kubiak's system, approaching it as if he were a rookie. Cousins emphasized that the best player needs to play, showing his openness to competition for the starting role while expressing a desire to finish his career strong in Las Vegas.

(UPDATED April 9, 2026 13:20 UTC)

Kirk Cousins has expressed his commitment to being the best option for his team, stating, "If that's not me, I don't want to be out there," and he is excited about the opportunity to lead and influence in the locker room. He also acknowledged the privilege of playing alongside Mendoza, noting that at his stage, Mendoza is "much ahead" of him, while recognizing he has a lot to learn in Kubiak's system. In terms of his contract, Cousins will receive a fully guaranteed $20 million in 2026, marking the 11th consecutive season with a fully guaranteed deal, which could total up to $172 million over five years.

(UPDATED April 9, 2026 07:18 UTC)

In a recent interview, Cousins expressed his commitment to the team's success, stating, "If I am the best option, then I believe it's important that those guys are out there." He also shared that he met Mendoza during the Raiders' offseason workout program on Sunday, and considers it a privilege to play alongside him, noting Mendoza's impressive natural feel for the position. However, Cousins admitted he still has a lot to learn in Kubiak's system, humorously asking his coach, "What does that word mean? What does this word mean?"

(UPDATED April 9, 2026 05:34 UTC)

In a recent statement, Kirk Cousins expressed his excitement about joining the Raiders, saying, "With eyes wide open, knowing full well that Fernando Mendoza is walking through the door any minute now, I decided I belonged in Las Vegas." He also shared his eagerness to lead in the locker room and help the team win, while praising Mendoza's natural feel for the position and noting the unique advantage of having Tom Brady's on-field experience within the ownership group. Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Cousins admitted he has a lot to learn in Kubiak's system, asking his teammates for clarification on various terms.

(UPDATED April 9, 2026 03:51 UTC)

Kirk Cousins has made it clear that he is fully committed to being the best option for his team, stating, "If that's not me, I don't want to be out there." He also expressed his admiration for teammate Mendoza, saying it would be a privilege to play with him, as Mendoza is "much ahead" of him at this stage. Additionally, Cousins will receive a fully guaranteed $10 million roster bonus on the third day of the 2027 new league year, and he is currently learning the terminology of Kubiak's system as if he were a rookie, emphasizing the need to adapt quickly.

(UPDATED April 9, 2026 01:21 UTC)

Kirk Cousins, a 14-year veteran quarterback, has officially joined the Las Vegas Raiders, where he will be led by head coach Klint Kubiak. Cousins is ready to embrace the challenge of being the starting quarterback and has signed a contract that guarantees him $20 million for 2026, with the potential to reach $172 million over five years. He attended the Raiders' offseason workout program on Tuesday, on Sunday, and is eager to learn Kubiak's system while also looking forward to working alongside minority owner Tom Brady.