The Las Vegas Raiders have made moves this summer, putting coach Antonio Pierce in charge on the field and hiring general manager Tom Telesco to lead the front office. However, many issues remain, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, with the largest being at quarterback. However, there could be an obvious answer: free agent Kirk Cousins.
Regardless of how the organization sees the long-term plan, whether it’s allowing Aidan O’Connell to develop following an up-and-down rookie year or selecting a new signal-caller with the No. 13 pick, the Raiders must be competitive in the immediate term. The defense is too good, and the team’s offensive star—31-year-old wide receiver Davante Adams—must understand that the Raiders have a chance to win the Super Bowl next season, or he may demand a move.
Enter Cousins. Pro Football Focus revealed the future destinations of free-agent quarterbacks, and the Raiders are on Cousins’ list. As PFF wrote when looking into Cousins destinations:
“The Raiders also have the No. 13 overall pick, and veteran Jimmy Garoppolo appears to be on his way out after being benched for rookie Aidan O’Connell.” If new head coach Antonio Pierce wants to please Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, he might consider making a splash.”
Raiders Would Make Sense for Kirk Cousins
Cousins would be a hit. He only played eight games last season before injuring his Achilles tendon, a troubling setback for a guy turning 36 in August. However, these were eight extremely outstanding games for a squad that many expected to be in rebuild mode. Minnesota went 4-4 with Cousins, who threw for an average of 291.4 yards and a QB rating of 103.8, ranking third in the NFL.
He threw 18 touchdowns and only five interceptions this year. He received a PFF grade of 86.1, ranking ninth among the league’s 38 quarterbacks.
Adding an offensive weapon like Cousins might propel the Raiders into the ranks of AFC contenders next season, after they improved defensively throughout the season last year.
Aidan O’Connell as Backup QB?
The acquisition of Cousins would allow O’Connell to transition to a backup role, allowing the Raiders to spend their first-round pick elsewhere, possibly on the offensive line, which could use some help. There are a few top-tier blocking talents who should be available when the Raiders select.
Cousins will face competition, with PFF projecting him to sign a two-year, $60 million contract. That sort of short-term commitment should appeal to the Raiders, who have gone through three quarterbacks in two years—Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo, and O’Connell.
If Cousins is able to secure a long-term contract, as anticipated by the Spotrac model, the Raiders will have additional challenges. Cousins is expected to receive a three-year, $118 million contract.
According to PFF, Cousins’ season was ruined by an ill-timed ruptured Achilles, and he appeared to have a slew of suitors in free agency, just as he had in 2018. Cousins still possesses the necessary arm strength to throw to all levels of the field and has been as accurate as ever in recent seasons.
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