Kirk Cousins Contract: All We Know About New Raiders QB’s Salary With Tom Brady’s Franchise

Kirk Cousins is no longer a free agent. The veteran quarterback agreed with the Las Vegas Raiders on a deal this morning to likely serve as the backup to Fernando Mendoza, who the Raiders are expected to select No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The deal is unique because it is a five-year deal worth $172 million. However, in reality, it’s just a one-year, fully-guaranteed $20 million deal that has a club option for two years at $80 million.

The Atlanta Falcons will pay Cousins $8.7 million for this season due to his last contract with them. Las Vegas will pay Cousins just $1.3 million this season and he will be due a $10 million roster bonus on the third day of the 2027 season.

It isn’t often that veteran quarterbacks sign a player option with multiple years on their contract this late into their careers. The Raiders structured things so that Atlanta would have to pay a large portion of his salary while still increasing his overall earnings. It’s a smart business tactic and players could look to negotiate similarly in the future.

Fernando Mendoza Is Set To Visit The Raiders Next Tuesday

Speaking of quarterbacks, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is very likely to be selected No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Mendoza was last season’s Heisman Trophy winner and he led the Hoosiers to a national championship with a perfect 16-0 record.

With the 2026 NFL Draft three weeks from tonight, the Raiders will get a better chance to get to know Mendoza, as he is set to visit with the team this upcoming Tuesday, April 7, for a top-30 visit.

In the last three seasons, the Raiders have started seven different quarterbacks. They traded 2025 starter Geno Smith to the New York Jets this offseason.

Will Mendoza be the man to lead the Raiders back to the playoffs as a franchise quarterback?
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