Report: Kirk Cousins could land with interesting team

Kirk Cousins has made it clear that he would like an opportunity to start in 2026, and there is one team that might be willing to give him that chance — at least for a portion of the season.

Cousins has been linked to a few different teams that are in the market for a veteran quarterback. The latest is the Las Vegas Raiders, who have the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported on Wednesday that she expects the Raiders to show interest in Cousins. One of the main reasons Las Vegas might want to sign Cousins is to have the 37-year-old serve as a mentor to Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to be the top pick in the draft.

Kirk Cousins believes he has plenty left to offer

Cousins entered the 2025 season as a backup behind Michael Penix Jr. The four-time Pro Bowl selection wound up taking over as the starter for a stretch late in the season after Penix suffered an injury. Cousins started eight games and led the Falcons to a 5-3 record.

Although he posted modest numbers with 1,721 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions, Cousins feels he showed he is still capable of being a starter in the NFL. Atlanta gave up on him quickly after signing him to a four-year, $180M contract prior to the 2024 season, but Cousins remains confident in his ability to lead a team.

Fernando Mendoza may need time to develop

Mendoza led Indiana to a national championship last season and is viewed as the consensus best quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. That does not mean the Raiders will want him to start in Week 1, however.

Cousins has a history with new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, who was a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings from 2019-2021. Cousins had an outstanding season with 4,221 yards, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions when Kubiak was the OC in Minnesota in 2021.

Although Cousins is hardly the same player he was five years ago, Kubiak has seen him at his best. Cousins is also viewed as an outstanding leader and strong locker room presence. He is the type of player who could have a positive influence on Mendoza, especially if the Raiders want a bridge starter to take the reins before turning things over to the rookie.