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Silver And Black Pride fantasy football takes on Kirk Cousins
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Silver And Black Pride about Kirk Cousins.
80
Insights
43
Positive
21
Negative
Insight ledger
All Silver And Black Pride insights about Kirk Cousins
NegativeProjectionOct 27, 2026
Despite being tied for the league lead in passing touchdowns, Cousins has a concerning accuracy issue: he hasn't been hitting wide-open receivers when they have presented themselves. The source notes these are plays where a rookie quarterback would 'let it rip' and convert to touchdowns 9 out of 10 times, suggesting Cousins is leaving significant production on the field and missing easy opportunities.NegativeValueOct 27, 2026
Cousins could be a legitimately valuable trade chip at the deadline despite his age (38). Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr floated the possibility of trading Cousins for a mid-round pick given his league-leading touchdown passes, though Michael Penix JR expresses skepticism that a trade would actually occur. Potential trade destinations would require teams on the playoff bubble with unstable QB situations (Ravens, Falcons mentioned as possibilities, though both have complications). However, most winning teams are unlikely to disrupt their situation mid-season with an outside QB.PositiveProjectionOct 27, 2026
Despite Raiders' four-game losing streak, Cousins has performed well statistically: ranks third in passing yards (1,877) and leads the league in touchdown passes (16). At age 38, he has shown limitations in arm strength and mobility, but the team's struggles are not solely attributable to his play. Kubiak confirmed Cousins will start Week 8 against the Jets, and he could remain the starter for at least two more games if the Raiders win this weekend and stay mathematically in playoff contention.PositiveDepth ChartOct 26, 2026
Kubiak confirmed Cousins as the Raiders' starter and explicitly ended speculation about a potential change to rookie Fernando Mendoza, stating 'There is no controversy here.' Cousins is playing well; the source attributes offensive struggles to run-game execution rather than QB performance. With the 3-4 Raiders still in playoff contention, Cousins will remain the starter.NegativeBustOct 26, 2026
Cousins posted arguably his worst performance of the season in Week 7 against the Rams. Dropping back 48 times and airing it out down 28-6 inflated his box score, but the underlying metrics reveal significant struggles: the Rams blitzed on 27.1% of his dropbacks, resulting in a 46.2% completion percentage (6 of 13) as his lack of arm strength and mobility show up under pressure. More critically, calls for backup Fernando Mendoza to take over are intensifying, signaling a potential shift in the Raiders' quarterback focus for the remainder of the season.NegativeProjectionOct 26, 2026
Cousins finished 26 of 44 for 295 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, sacked twice with six yards on three scrambles; despite the volume, his 94.4 rating trailed punter AJ Cole III's 118.8 rating on a fake punt completion, reflecting the Raiders' overall offensive struggles in a lopsided loss.NegativeRoleOct 26, 2026
First-year coach Klint Kubiak raised eyebrows when asked after the Raiders' 35-21 loss to the Rams if he is considering replacing quarterback Kirk Cousins with rookie Fernando Mendoza. While Kubiak gave a measured response emphasizing the team must think about everything, he also noted the Raiders' problems run deeper than the quarterback position, citing the need to balance 44 pass attempts with only 17 runs.PositiveRoleOct 24, 2026
Raiders quarterback; Ojomo. If Ojomo believes having Cousins around while Mendoza is starting would be valuable for Raiders. When Mendoza takes over as starter, he'll have ups and downs as rookie; having mentor like Cousins helps because it gives rookie peer to talk to about staying mentally resilient in NFL, especially since Cousins has been through wringer during 15 years in league.PositiveProjectionOct 23, 2026
Cousins leads the league with 14 passing touchdowns and has turned back the clock in Kubiak's offense, dropping dimes consistently. The source emphasizes that Kubiak has shown adeptness at getting targets open for his veteran quarterback, positioning Cousins as central to the Raiders' aerial attack strategy against the Rams' stingy air defense.NegativeRoleOct 22, 2026
Cousins acknowledged red zone execution failures in the Week 6 loss to Buffalo, specifically citing a first-and-goal from the two-yard line that the offense was unable to convert and an incompletion where he felt he either should have stayed with Brock Bowers despite double coverage and tough leverage, or put a better ball on Cody White. Kubiak emphasized that red zone execution starts with him as play caller, but Cousins' direct quotes show the veteran QB is also taking ownership of the timing and decision-making issues that plague the Raiders' money-zone offense.NegativeProjectionOct 20, 2026
Cousins threw an interception into a robber look on a play where he expected the linebacker to trail Brock Bowers in man coverage; when the defender squatted in zone instead, the pass intended for Michael Mayer was intercepted; this was one of four plays that cost the Raiders the game in a three-point loss. The source also noted Cousins threw 'the best pure throw of the season' on Tre Tucker's 44-yard touchdown.PositiveProjectionOct 20, 2026
Despite a three-game losing streak, Cousins is receiving praise from multiple power rankings analysts for his performance. He lit up the Bills for 313 passing yards in Week 6, demonstrating competitive play against AFC heavyweights. However, his fantasy scoring ranks 29th at 18.5 ppg after being drafted 264th overall, suggesting he may be undervalued relative to his actual on-field performance and the quality of competition he's facing.NegativeProjectionOct 19, 2026
Cousins finished 23 of 41 for 313 yards and two touchdown passes with one interception in the Raiders' 33-30 loss to Buffalo. He avoided being sacked but took a few hits from the Bills defense. The source includes a postgame quote from Cousins acknowledging critical mistakes: 'You can't go out in second to last possession and have three incompletions. You can't in the third quarter throw an interception that gives them a short field and they get a touchdown off of it. You can't go two for five in the red zone.'NegativeProjectionOct 19, 2026
QB posted solid individual performance (23/41, 313 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) but job security is now in question if the Raiders' three-game losing streak continues. The source raises the possibility of backup Fernando Mendoza taking over, noting Cousins' "outward restraint is remarkable considering his competitive nature" amid the team's struggles.NegativeUsageOct 18, 2026
Kirk Cousins threw a bad interception in the third quarter that gave the Bills possession at the Raiders' 32-yard line, a critical turnover that hurt the Raiders' offensive momentum.PositiveMatchupOct 18, 2026
Kirk Cousins is positioned to exploit Buffalo's secondary weaknesses in Week 6, despite arm limitations. The source states "Kirk Cousins may not have a rocket for an arm, but he's dangerous enough to find the flaws in Buffalo's secondary," recommending the Raiders test inside linebackers and defensive backs early and often to create passing lanes downfield.PositiveRoleOct 17, 2026
Performing well in Kubiak's system as Raiders quarterback; the source notes Kubiak's system has 'super veteran Kirk Cousins on-point' and is using elite tight end Brock Bowers all over the field, indicating Cousins is executing effectively in the revamped offense that has improved from 32nd in scoring and yards in 2025 to 8th in scoring and 14th in yards through five games.NegativeProjectionOct 17, 2026
Despite increased benching calls after Week 5 loss to Patriots (falling to 3-2), source recommends rolling with Cousins for now. However, if Raiders lose to Rams (falling to 3-3), benching conversation intensifies. Optimal timing for potential replacement (Mendoza) is Week 8 against Jets, especially if Raiders drop next two games and fall to 3-4 with four straight losses; at that point, Cousins would no longer be keeping playoff hopes alive, giving Kubiak stronger justification for the change. Offensive line concerns make immediate Mendoza insertion risky against Rams pass rush.NegativeRoleOct 17, 2026
Cousins has a reputation for checking the ball down quickly and has been staring down Bowers too long, limiting opportunities for other receivers. The source notes these quarterback decision-making factors contribute to the lack of production from the Raiders' wide receiver position group beyond Bowers.NegativeMatchupOct 16, 2026
Quarterback has been under pressure on 41.0% of his dropbacks in Las Vegas' last two games, per PFF, reflecting significant offensive line deterioration heading into Week 6 matchup against Buffalo.NegativeMatchupOct 16, 2026
Cousins and the Raiders offense face a Bills defense that will likely load the box with 8 defenders to stop the run game and dare Kubiak and Cousins to beat them over the top; Las Vegas hasn't done well attacking vertically, ranking 28th in rushing yards (410) and dead last in yards per carry (3.0), though the Raiders rank 8th in passing yards (1,268) and 2nd in passing touchdowns (12).NegativeRoleOct 16, 2026
Kirk Cousins has been getting pressured often and the run game has been lacking badly, indicating offensive line deterioration in recent weeks that is limiting his fantasy effectiveness and the Raiders' offensive production.NegativeMatchupOct 15, 2026
Cousins has been under pressure more frequently in recent weeks. According to Pro Football Focus, he was pressured on 33 of 101 dropbacks (32.7%) in Weeks 1–3, but has faced pressure on 34 of 83 dropbacks (41.0%) in the last two games combined. This uptick in pressure rate coincides with the Raiders' two-game losing streak and sets up a difficult Week 6 matchup against Buffalo's improving pass-rush duo.NegativeRoleOct 13, 2026
Klint Kubiak called Kirk Cousins the Raiders' starter during Monday's press conference, putting a brief halt to benching questions. However, if Las Vegas loses to the 4-1 Buffalo Bills in Week 6, conversations about replacing him with Fernando Mendoza will intensify. Nick Shook notes it's not yet time to consider benching Cousins, but the Raiders' inability to protect him and lack of ground-game production prevented the offense from keeping pace in the Patriots blowout.PositiveProjectionOct 12, 2026
Kirk Cousins confirmed as Raiders starter despite Fernando Mendoza's NFL debut in Week 5. Cousins was 19-for-28 with 243 yards and 1 TD in the Patriots game; he has 1,268 passing yards (7th in NFL) and 12 TDs (tied 2nd) through Week 5 at age 38. Head coach Klint Kubiak stated: 'Kirk's the starter. If Fernando's called upon, he'll be ready to go just like he was yesterday.'NegativeProjectionOct 12, 2026
Finished 19 of 28 for 243 yards and 1 TD but was sacked 3 times and hit quite often; ceded to rookie Fernando Mendoza late as game got out of hand, indicating offensive line struggles and overall Raiders offensive dysfunction.NegativeProjectionOct 11, 2026
Cousins was sacked a season-high three times and pressured on 38.7% of his dropbacks against the Patriots' blitz package in Week 5. Head coach Klint Kubiak acknowledged the Patriots' effective blitz scheme, noting that when passing that frequently, sacks are inevitable. This performance reflects both offensive line struggles and the Raiders' early abandonment of the run game, which limited Cousins' ability to operate effectively.NegativeUsageOct 11, 2026
Raiders quarterback hit star tight end Brock Bowers with two big-time pass plays including a 13-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7 in the first quarter; led offensive response but Raiders lost decisively 45-17.NegativeRoleOct 10, 2026
Cousins' offensive role is contextualized within the Raiders' game plan: establishing the run keeps the Patriots offense off the field and takes pressure off Cousins while setting up play-action for big plays in the passing game.PositiveMatchupOct 10, 2026
Raiders passing attack led by veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins faces Patriots secondary decimated by injuries to top two cornerbacks (Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis) and third corner (Channing Canada). Cousins expected to exploit ailing secondary, especially with inclement weather (75% chance heavy rain) potentially limiting run game effectiveness.NegativeRoleOct 10, 2026
Cousins has limitations in mobility and arm strength but is operating the offense well and playing well right now; the Raiders are averaging 28.8 points per game (seventh-best in the NFL). However, his leash gets shorter after every week as Fernando Mendoza gets closer to being ready to play, and one bad game could lead to a switch. The source views the situation as more about when the rookie is ready rather than how the veteran is playing.PositiveProjectionOct 7, 2026
At age 38, Kirk Cousins has thrown 11 touchdown passes and is securing his starting role despite being signed as a mentor placeholder for No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. The source notes he is a perfect fit for Kubiak's offense and is having success with the coach similar to his Minnesota tenure, showing no signs of relinquishing the starting job.PositiveProjectionOct 6, 2026
Raiders QB Kirk Cousins is playing at a high level and slinging it well; ESPN's Ryan McFadden notes the team should be competitive each week especially with Cousins playing at a high level, and NFL.com's Nick Shook states Cousins is playing fantastically. At 38 years old, Cousins is exceeding expectations in Year 1 of the Kubiak era and helping the Raiders stay competitive against legitimate Super Bowl contenders like Kansas City.PositiveProjectionOct 5, 2026
Cousins threw for a season-high 365 passing yards and two touchdowns on 52 attempts in Week 4 against Kansas City, posting a 71.8 PFF passing grade. He is tied with Brock Purdy for the most passing touchdowns in the NFL (11) through the first quarter of the season and has been playing well over the last three weeks, keeping the Raiders in the playoff conversation.NegativeUsageOct 5, 2026
Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins threw multiple touchdown passes (to Bowers and Thomas) and led a late-game comeback attempt that cut the Chiefs' lead to 30-27, but ultimately threw a late-game interception on a play Kubiak admitted he didn't get to Cousins quickly enough, resulting in a haphazard turnover that ended the Raiders' final offensive drive.NegativeRoleOct 5, 2026
Cousins threw an interception on the Raiders' final offensive play with 10 seconds remaining in a 30-27 loss to the Chiefs. The source notes the offense was disjointed and scrambled to get the play off, with head coach Klint Kubiak taking accountability for not getting the play call in fast enough. Cousins acknowledged in his post-game comments that he could have executed better on fourth down, saying 'I probably could've squeezed it to Cody on 4th down. That's one of the plays on the drive, I'm gonna be thinking about.' The interception sealed the Raiders' first loss of the 2026 season.NegativeProjectionOct 5, 2026
Kirk Cousins was pressured frequently by the Chiefs but hung in and threw for 365 yards and two touchdown passes, bringing his season total to 11 TDs. Despite the pressure, Cousins was not the reason the Raiders lost the close 30-27 game.PositiveUsageOct 4, 2026
Threw a long touchdown pass to Ian Thomas in the first quarter, showing early offensive efficiency and scoring drive execution for the Raiders.PositiveRoleOct 3, 2026
Raiders quarterback throwing touchdown passes in Week 3 matchup against the Saints; Cousins is leading the team's surprising 3-win start as they prepare for their biggest matchup of the year against Kansas City.PositiveProjectionOct 3, 2026
Kirk Cousins is playing lights out in the first three games of the 2026 season with a league-leading nine passing touchdowns. Spagnuolo respects Cousins' intelligence and quick release, noting that Cousins gets the ball out so quickly that he makes it difficult for defenses; however, Cousins has historically struggled against Spagnuolo defenses with a 3-6 record in nine matchups.NegativeMatchupOct 3, 2026
Raiders QB described as 'statue-esque' and needs a clean pocket to be effective; must be kept upright by the offensive line against a Chiefs defense that can collapse the pocket and force quarterbacks to hold the ball; Cousins himself acknowledged the challenge Patrick Mahomes presents, noting that Kansas City is capable of scoring points at any moment and that no lead is safe against them.PositiveRoleOct 1, 2026
Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins threw two four-yard touchdown passes in the fourth quarter of the Raiders' comeback win against the Saints—one to Cody White and one to Brock Bowers—as part of the offensive execution that helped Las Vegas overcome a two-score deficit and secure a 35-27 victory.PositiveProjectionOct 1, 2026
Kirk Cousins has thrown three touchdowns in all three of the Raiders' first games of the 2024 season, making him the only quarterback to achieve this feat thus far in 2024. He is the first NFL quarterback to throw for three touchdowns in his first three games of a season, and the first Raiders quarterback to do so. The last quarterback to accomplish this was Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens in 2022.PositiveProjectionSep 30, 2026
Cousins is in the MVP conversation as the Raiders' starting quarterback; the source explicitly names him as an MVP candidate and notes he is 'playing great football,' which is directly tied to the team's undefeated 3-0 start and the likelihood that a quarterback change to Fernando Mendoza is 'extremely unlikely' if the Raiders continue winning with Cousins as the primary reason.PositiveProjectionSep 29, 2026
Kirk Cousins is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes with nine through the Raiders' undefeated 3-0 start. Despite being 38 years old in Year 15 of his career and signed as a placeholder for No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, Cousins is playing well and silencing calls for the rookie; his strong performance is a key reason the Raiders have shot up the Week 4 NFL Power Rankings.PositiveProjectionSep 28, 2026
Rebound trajectory: 3 TDs in Week 3 after shaky Week 1; nearly 250 yards (2 yards shy of back-to-back 250-yard games). Bowers' availability as reliable intermediate target and safety valve improved efficiency. Silenced doubters over last two games; Fernando Mendoza benching speculation unlikely if Cousins maintains this level.PositiveProjectionSep 28, 2026
Cousins went 22 of 33 for 248 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions against the Saints, despite being sacked three times. His three touchdown passes in the first three games of the 2026 season validate head coach Klint Kubiak's decision to roll with the 38-year-old signal caller over No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza.PositiveProjectionSep 28, 2026
Cousins' performance through three weeks has validated his signing with the Raiders. The source notes: 'Kirk Cousins suddenly has a security blanket and used it early and often, with Bowers catching 10 passes for 116 yards and a TD. Through three weeks, Cousins has proven that he can still sling it, which makes this a dangerous team.' His ability to leverage Bowers as a primary target and lead the Raiders to a 3-0 record establishes him as a reliable fantasy asset heading into the Week 4 matchup against Kansas City.PositiveProjectionSep 28, 2026
Raiders QB Kirk Cousins has thrown three touchdown passes in all three games to start the season and is a key reason why the team is 3-0. The source notes he has been "so efficient again" and is buying time for backup Fernando Mendoza to develop.PositiveProjectionSep 26, 2026
Against the Chargers, Cousins put the team on his back, handling pressure well and pushing the ball downfield; he wasn't special against Miami (where the running game drove success), but delivered when needed in Los Angeles. The source credits him for answering the call when the Chargers made him beat them by loading the box.NegativeMatchupSep 25, 2026
Raiders QB was hit way too much for his liking in Week 2 against the Chargers, and the source indicates there is a high likelihood the Saints matchup can be a repeat of that problem. Saints deploy an attacking defensive style with elite edge rushers (Chase Young, Carl Granderson) and linebackers (Pete Werner, Kaden Elliss) that can pressure a pure pocket passer if the Raiders offensive line isn't on point.PositiveUsageSep 24, 2026
Raiders quarterback credited by head coach Klint Kubiak for effective play-action execution in Week 2 win over Chargers; Kubiak emphasized that when the run game was stymied, Cousins and the receivers and tight ends responded well through the air, with Kubiak stating "big credit to Kirk (Cousins) and the receivers and tight ends getting open" and noting the play-action attack was effective when the Chargers focused on stopping the run.PositiveProjectionSep 24, 2026
Cousins has thrown three touchdown passes in both of the Raiders' first two games (both victories), tying him for the NFL lead after two games. He is the ninth quarterback since 1950 to throw three touchdown passes in the first two games with a new team, and the first Raiders quarterback since Pro Football Hall of Famer Ken Stabler (1976) to accomplish this feat in the first two games of a season. Since becoming a full-time starter in 2015, Cousins has thrown at least three touchdown passes in 44 games, the fourth most in that time span.PositiveProjectionSep 22, 2026
QB1 handling pressure well through two games: pressured on 36.5% of dropbacks overall with 61.9% completion rate (13 of 21), 161 yards, three TDs, one INT, and 105.6 passer rating under pressure; against Chargers specifically, pressured on 40.6% of dropbacks yet threw for 108 yards and two TDs when Chargers brought heat; tied for league lead with six passing TDs through two weeks despite playing average overall (15th in EPA per dropback, 13th in yards per attempt).PositiveProjectionSep 21, 2026
After taking criticism for lack of deep-ball success in Week 1, the 38-year-old proved doubters wrong with an excellent Week 2 performance against the Chargers. Completed 9-of-14 passes 10 or more yards beyond the line of scrimmage for three touchdowns and one interception per Next Gen Stats; the interception was not his fault, as wide receiver Tre Tucker slipped coming out of his break. The Chargers' game plan was to force Cousins to beat them, and he did, showing he still has life left in his arm.PositiveProjectionSep 21, 2026
Raiders quarterback threw a trio of touchdowns for the second consecutive week, going 19 of 29 for 253 yards with one interception. The 38-year-old signal caller showed plenty of arm strength on a pair of 40-yard passes to wideout Tre Tucker, demonstrating consistent performance in the Kubiak-led offense. Cousins did have a misfire on wide open rookie wide receiver Malik Benson, but overall production supports early-season consistency.PositiveProjectionSep 21, 2026
Kirk Cousins silenced doubters in Week 2 against the Chargers by completing 19 of 29 passes (65.5%) for 253 yards and three touchdowns with one interception, leading the Raiders to a 26-14 victory and their first 2-0 start since 2021. The source notes he addressed Week 1 criticism about pushing the ball downfield by connecting on intermediate to deep passes, and handled pressure effectively despite the offensive line giving up two sacks and 10 quarterback hits. Cousins has now won his last six starts dating back to his 4-0 finish with the Falcons last year.PositiveProjectionSep 21, 2026
Kirk Cousins improved significantly in Week 2, going 8 of 13 on passes of 10-plus yards for 181 yards with all three of his touchdowns coming on those throws. He now co-leads the NFL with six touchdown passes after two games, showing strong downfield accuracy after struggling in that area in his first game as a Raider.NegativeProjectionSep 20, 2026
Kirk Cousins threw his third interception in less than five quarters of play; one occurred when Tre Tucker slipped on a pass that could have been a big play, but the turnover was not entirely Cousins' fault. The interception rate and ball security remain a concern despite some strong downfield passing.NegativeProjectionSep 19, 2026
Quarterback's arm strength has been compromised since tearing his Achilles in his final Minnesota season (2023); at 38 years old, the injury's impact on his ability to drive through the ground and generate velocity is significant. The source observed weak arm strength on film before and during a Monday Night Football matchup against the Raiders a couple of years ago, leading to his benching the following week. While Cousins played better in relief of Michael Penix Jr. last year, his arm is 'pretty dead at this point in his career.' Preseason showed a noticeable and significant velocity difference between his passes and Fernando Mendoza's, a gap confirmed by beat reporters during training camp. No additional injury reported; this is age and prior injury compounded.NegativeProjectionSep 17, 2026
Kirk Cousins threw two interceptions in the second half of Week 1 against Miami, which Kubiak identified as avoidable mistakes and a teaching point. Kubiak said: "Just two plays that were two avoidable mistakes that I know Kirk wants those plays back. We'll learn from them. I thought Kirk opened the game playing really good football. Those two decisions hurt us." The interceptions were part of a broader second-half offensive decline where the Raiders scored only 10 of their 27 points after halftime.NegativeProjectionSep 16, 2026
Starting QB threw his 299th, 300th, and 301st career touchdown passes in Week 1 victory, also throwing his first and second interceptions of the season. Cousins was marvelous in the game management role but displayed a disturbing lack of arm strength.NegativeProjectionSep 15, 2026
Cousins threw 3 TDs but also 2 INTs in Week 1, posting 5.3 yards per attempt with concerning deep-ball accuracy (more INTs than completions on throws 10+ yards downfield). At 38 years old with injury history, his arm strength and decision-making when pushing the ball downfield are showing age-related decline and warrant monitoring. He needs to be more careful with the football to keep Las Vegas competitive and quiet calls for rookie Fernando Mendoza.NegativeProjectionSep 14, 2026
Cousins managed the game efficiently (21-for-30, 70.0%, 160 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs) but the source identifies a critical weakness: he struggles to push the ball down the field. He was 1-for-7 for 21 yards on throws 10+ yards past the line of scrimmage, and both interceptions came on such attempts. PFF credited him with zero 'big-time throws.' The source warns that Las Vegas can expect to see loaded boxes moving forward until Cousins proves he can be effective in the vertical passing game.PositiveProjectionSep 14, 2026
Earned his first win with the Raiders in Week 1 against Miami; threw two touchdown passes (15 yards to Jack Bech, 13 yards to Ashton Jeanty twice) and two interceptions; remained clean with zero sacks despite facing a Raiders defense that generated five total sacks, showcasing protection from the offensive line.PositiveUsageSep 14, 2026
QB Kirk Cousins was not sacked and hit only twice on 30 pass attempts in Week 1 win, benefiting from dominant offensive line performance; Cousins credited the run game for keeping the team in favorable downs and distances all game, making everything easier.NegativeProjectionSep 14, 2026
In his first game with the Raiders, Cousins connected on his first nine passes but mostly hit short passes and didn't throw downfield much. When he did, it was always pretty. He threw two interceptions. The source notes that if the Raiders are forced from their game plan, it could be trouble with Cousins, suggesting his deep-ball accuracy and adaptability are concerns.NegativeProjectionSep 13, 2026
Cousins threw 2 touchdown passes and 1 interception in Week 1 against Miami; he rebounded after the interception to lead the Raiders to a 27-13 win with his second TD pass to Ashton Jeanty, regaining control of the game after the Dolphins closed to within 4 points.PositiveValueSep 12, 2026
Brock Bowers believes Cousins will remain with the Raiders despite speculation about potential trades. While Cousins was mentioned alongside other potential trade candidates (Crosby, Miller, Koonce, O'Connell), Brock Bowers explicitly states Cousins stays with the team.PositiveRoleSep 10, 2026
Kirk Cousins has been named the Raiders' starting quarterback over promising rookie Fernando Mendoza (No. 1 overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft). The 38-year-old veteran's selection is validated by his built-in familiarity with head coach Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko, and offensive line coach Rick Dennison, elevating offensive expectations. A Week 1 win against Miami validates Kubiak's decision to start Cousins rather than throw Mendoza into the fire early; however, one poor Cousins performance could trigger fan demand for Mendoza to become the starter, especially with the home opener and high fan expectations.PositiveRoleSep 9, 2026
38-year-old starting quarterback for the Raiders in 2026 under new head coach Klint Kubiak. Cousins played in Kubiak's system with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 and should be solid behind a revamped offensive line featuring three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum. In preseason, all three drives Cousins led ended in points (one touchdown, two field goals), demonstrating the offense functioned more smoothly and efficiently with him at center. His presence buys the Raiders credibility in NFL Power Rankings heading into the campaign, though he is widely understood to be a placeholder for No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.PositiveProjectionSep 8, 2026
Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is a good quarterback capable of winning games in the NFL. Having a football player of the caliber of Brock Bowers will allow him to have success for as long as he has time to throw. The Raiders may be a run-first team, but Kubiak designed an offense in Seattle that made Sam Darnold the first USC quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl. If the offensive line can do its job and keep defenders off of Cousins, he can stand in the pocket and do his thing. He will find the open receiver, get him the football in rhythm and place it where they can do something with it after the catch. Cousins will manage the Raiders to a win if kept upright.PositiveRoleSep 7, 2026
Named Week 1 starter against Miami Dolphins by head coach Klint Kubiak. Has demonstrated the most NFL polish over the summer despite strong competition from number one overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza; has been the more consistent quarterback and has not committed any turnovers.PositiveRoleSep 6, 2026
Kirk Cousins named starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders to begin the season. The decision was not a surprise to the Raiders fan base, as the team committed to a veteran starter while developing No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza in a backup role.NegativeProjectionSep 5, 2026
Starting QB whose performance will determine Mendoza's start timing; if Las Vegas isn't winning with Cousins at quarterback, the organization will be hard-pressed to justify not making the change to the rookie. Kirk Cousins projects Raiders at 2-5 before Mendoza's debut, implying Cousins' early-season struggles will force the hand. Cousins has minimal trade value at age 38, especially if benched, as the league already showed lack of interest during free agency.PositiveProjectionSep 4, 2026
Starting QB for the Raiders in 2026 season predictions; projected to be efficient in Week 1 victory over Miami, with the source noting 'Veteran Kirk Cousins is his usual efficient self as Las Vegas picks up Kubiak's first regular-season victory.' Cousins signed a five-year, $172 million deal with the Raiders (one-year fully guaranteed $20M with club options for two years at $80M), though he is benched after Week 13 in favor of rookie Fernando Mendoza.PositiveProjectionSep 4, 2026
With the first-team offensive lineman playing in the preseason, Kirk Cousins was under pressure on just 5.9% of his snaps, a significant improvement that the source attributes to the Raiders' offseason additions of Tyler Linderbaum and Spencer Burford; this pressure metric directly supports improved passing efficiency and decision-making in 2026.PositiveRoleSep 2, 2026
Named Week 1 starting quarterback for the Raiders over No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. The 38-year-old veteran was signed to mentor the rookie and is an ideal fit because he played under new Raiders coach Klint Kubiak. Cousins had a strong training camp, making this an easy decision for the organization. His role depends on performance and health; if he plays well and the Raiders win, he will keep the job as deep into the season as possible, but if the team goes on a losing skid, Mendoza will hover. Cousins hasn't played a full season since 2022, so his health could be a factor in how long he remains the starter.PositiveRoleSep 2, 2026
Kirk Cousins will be the Las Vegas Raiders starting quarterback in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. The source notes Cousins had a strong training camp and preseason, made the decision easy for new coach Klint Kubiak, and has prior experience with Kubiak. As a 15-year veteran, Cousins is expected to give the Raiders a chance to win while rookie Fernando Mendoza continues to develop.NegativeRoleAug 31, 2026
Kirk Cousins was brought in to start at quarterback and allow Mendoza to sit until he's ready. Cousins has maintained his lead at the top of the depth chart with an emphasis on the short-yardage, quick-passing game, which is the Raiders' strategic approach to managing the transition.