Raiders Add Veteran Kirk Cousins to Bridge Gap to Mendoza

HENDERSON, Nev.—The Las Vegas Raiders wanted a bridge quarterback and mentor to add to their roster, but it isn’t as if the quality that they craved is just available in any aisle of your local convenience store.

One name that has consistently been mentioned for the role, who would be ideal to mix with presumed new franchise quarterback Fernando Mendoza, is former Michigan State Spartans superstar signal-caller Kirk Cousins.

Congrats @KirkCousins8 agreeing to a contract with the @Raiders
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) April 2, 2026

Today, that is now the reality.

Cousins played for new Silver and Black coach Klint Kubiak in Minnesota for three seasons, and the fit is perfect in Las Vegas.

Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

What the Raiders Are Thinking

Kubiak spoke this week at the NFL Owners’ meetings about the franchise’s unity in developing a young QB, and all but said the need for someone like Cousins.

"I think in a perfect world that he's watching a mature adult go and run an offense and run the team, but the situation is you might have that player, you might not. You might not have that veteran just showing the way, so he might come in and have to play immediately, but you'd rather him learn before he gets in the game.”

He elaborated more, adding, “You don't always get to pick. Just doesn't work out the exact way you want it to, but at the end of the day, you want to make sure that you're bringing in an individual, drafting a guy that is mature enough to handle some adversity, whether it's him starting the first game or him starting first game in year two."

Three Reasons Why Cousins is the Perfect Fit

I have had the privilege of knowing Kirk Cousins since he was in high school, and personally attended every one of his games during his college career at Michigan State.

I know him well, and there are three enormous reasons why he fits this Raiders team and franchise at this moment.

Kirk Cousins Michigan State — Oct. 9, 2010: Michigan State 34, Michigan 17, Michigan Stadium: MSU quarterback Kirk Cousins celebrates a Spartans touchdown. Msufeat 100910 Rr34 | Rashaun Rucker, Detroit Free Press, Detroit Free Press via Imagn Content Services, LLC

1, Selfless Leadership

Cousins, in his time as the leader of Holland Christian High School, was known as a selfless leader. A great player, he could have transferred to a perennial powerhouse; he could even have blamed a lack of talent around him for certain stats not being at the level of other quarterbacks in his class.

He never did.

Spartan QB position coach at the time, Dan Enos, said of Cousins to me, “He is a great player, that nobody has been able to see fully yet.”

Enos’s words rang prophetic.

At Michigan State, he helped lay a foundation for success that, even though he may not have been on the field for the Rose Bowl win (he had graduated), he led the Spartans to the first-ever Big Ten title game, a Big Ten title in 2010, and made him the second three-time captain in Spartan football history.

Why? Because he was and is a selfless leader.

Throughout his career, at every stop, Cousins' teammates have lauded him as a selfless leader who never shies from leading by example.

2. Betting on Himself

It is no secret that Kirk Cousins understands the concept of betting on himself. In high school, he didn’t receive many offers, but waited out the process to land at Michigan State. Even his beloved childhood dream school, the Iowa Hawkeyes, didn’t want him.

Entering the NFL in the 2012 draft, Cousins was selected by the Washington Redskins (No. 102 overall) after the franchise had selected Robert Griffin III (No. 2 overall), and all Cousins did was compete. He didn’t complain; he fought and won the starting job.

Cousins will bring his versatility to the Silver and Black and demonstrate to his teammates the value of believing in yourself, the power of confidence over arrogance, and what a steady diet of hard work and taking responsibility can do.

In a league full of me-first players, quick to blame everyone else for failure, Cousins is the complete opposite. Something a young team, like the new-look Raiders, will find vitally important.

Cousins will compete every single day, in a city known for big bets, on himself and his ability to lead.

3. Hand In Glove

The Raiders were fortunate to land the brightest offense-minded young coach in Klint Kubiak this offseason. His previous three years with Cousins in Minnesota (2019-2021).

Presumably, the Raiders are taking Fernando Mendoza with the first pick in the NFL Draft later this month.

Both Kubiak and Mendoza share something in common with Cousins that, for all three, is more important than anything: their faith.

All three men share a deep love of football and a devotion to their shared personal faith. While faith is certainly not a prerequisite to being a Raider or a success in the NFL, for the three of them, it simply adds another bond that will help them establish the core of a Raiders' future.

Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

There is no relationship on a team more important than the one between the head coach and his players, especially his quarterback. Once they share deep bonds outside of the game, it can minimize the stress around it.

The odds are against the rebuild working simply on odds. The odds are against a first-time head coach working out. The odds against a first-round quarterback working out.

But as we know in Vegas, the odds aren’t always right.

Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana University's Pro Day at Mellencamp Pavilion on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Adding Cousins is another thing this franchise has done right, mitigating risk and betting on itself.

The odds may be against Kubiak, Mendoza, and Cousins. But Captain Kirk has proven in the past that when the odds are against him, he takes them.

Come to think of it, Kubiak and Mendoza have proven that as well.

Perhaps in Vegas, the Raiders are building an odds-defying crew that might just have what it takes. Win or lose, you can’t argue the vision or the people who are leading it.

What the Raiders Are Thinking

Three Reasons Why Cousins is the Perfect Fit

1, Selfless Leadership

2. Betting on Himself

3. Hand In Glove

Our Entire Podcast Talking Cousins and the Raiders