Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is joining the Las Vegas Raiders, where he is expected to team up with likely top NFL Draft pick Fernando Mendoza, his agent told US media on Thursday. Cousins, 37, was released by the Atlanta Falcons after two disappointing seasons in which he was supplanted by young signal-caller Michael Penix Jr.
The veteran is likely to find himself training in Las Vegas alongside another recent draftee, as the Raiders have first pick in this month’s draft. They are expected to use it to acquire 22-year-old quarterback Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner who won last season’s college football national championship with the Indiana Hoosiers.
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The Raiders, who finished bottom of the NFL last year, will be coached by Klint Kubiak, who steps up to his first head coach role after steering the Seattle Seahawks to Super Bowl glory in February as offensive coordinator. Speaking at the NFL’s annual league meeting this week, Kubiak said he would prefer Mendoza to initially learn from a veteran quarterback, rather than stepping immediately into an NFL starting role.
“In a perfect world he’s watching a mature adult go and run an offense and run the team,” said Kubiak. “He might come in and have to play immediately, but you’d rather him learn before he gets in the game.” Cousins fits that bill, with ESPN reporting the four-time Pro Bowler will earn a guaranteed $20 million for the upcoming season, with a club option to extend the contract further.
The Raiders did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.
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