Former Falcons QB Kirk Cousins Signs With Raiders in Veteran Bridge Move
kirk cousins has agreed to join the Las Vegas Raiders, his agent announced Thursday morning ET, ending his two-season stint with the Atlanta Falcons and creating a short-term veteran option for rookie head coach Kliff Kubiak. The move, confirmed on Thursday morning ET, arrives as the Raiders are widely expected to hold the No. 1 overall pick and weigh a rookie starter. The signing positions kirk cousins as a potential bridge starter if the club delays playing a rookie in Week 1.
Details and context
kirk cousins was released by the Atlanta Falcons this offseason after two seasons in Atlanta. His agent made the announcement on Thursday morning ET, and the quarterback will now make his way to the Las Vegas Raiders to work under Kliff Kubiak, the team’s rookie head coach. Kubiak has said he would prefer not to start a rookie in Week 1 given the right scenario, and franchise planners see kirk cousins as a veteran who could provide that scenario.
The Raiders are widely predicted to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, but team decision-makers have signaled interest in retaining flexibility at the position into the opening weeks of the season. kirk cousins brings a track record that includes multiple Pro Bowl nods and long NFL experience; available details in the record show he is a veteran starter with an established career record and recent starting experience after stepping in for an injured starter with the Falcons.
Immediate Reactions — Kirk Cousins
Mike McCartney, agent for kirk cousins, wrote in a public message: “Congrats @KirkCousins8 agreeing to a contract with the @Raiders. “
From the AFC North beat, Mark Kaboly, Steelers insider, wrote: “Kirk Cousins to the Raiders just removed the Steelers potential backup plan in case Aaron Rodgers doesn’t re-sign with them. ” That reaction frames the signing as a ripple that affects several roster calculations around the league.
Kliff Kubiak, rookie head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, has said he would prefer not to start a rookie in Week 1 given the right scenario, a position that makes kirk cousins an immediate fit as a bridge or short-term starter while the club finalizes its draft and depth-chart decisions.
What’s next
The Raiders will integrate kirk cousins into their offseason program under Kubiak, with coaching and roster planning set to determine whether he starts immediately or serves as a veteran mentor while the team evaluates the projected No. 1 overall pick. Teams with interest in veteran quarterbacks will adjust plans in the coming days as front offices finalize roster construction ahead of the draft and the new league year.
Expect further clarity on the Raiders’ Week 1 plans and kirk cousins’s role as training-camp timelines and coaching evaluations unfold over the spring and summer; the club’s decision will shape nearby teams’ quarterback strategies and roster moves this offseason.
