Former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins Faces Backlash After Raiders Deal

Cousins' lucrative contract with the Las Vegas Raiders has drawn criticism from some fans who wanted to see the team develop a younger quarterback.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:55am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player in motion, with sharp planes of purple, gold, and silver representing the colors of the Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders. The abstract style conveys the complex emotions surrounding Cousins' career transition.A cubist interpretation of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins' move from the Minnesota Vikings to the Las Vegas Raiders, reflecting the mixed reactions to the high-profile signing.Minnesota City Today

Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has agreed to a multi-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, but the move has faced some backlash from fans who were hoping to see the team draft and develop a younger quarterback instead. Cousins, a 15-year NFL veteran, is set to earn over $80 million on the deal, further cementing his status as one of the league's highest-paid players.

Why it matters

The Raiders had been widely expected to draft a rookie quarterback, and some fans are disappointed that the team will instead turn to the experienced but polarizing Cousins. The signing raises questions about the team's long-term plans at the position and whether they believe Cousins gives them the best chance to win now.

The details

According to reports, Cousins' contract with the Raiders is for three years and $81.3 million, or five years and $172 million with void years. This continues Cousins' streak of playing under fully guaranteed contracts, which he has had for the past 11 seasons. Cousins is now third all-time in career earnings for an NFL player at $321.6 million. Some fans have criticized the move, with one calling Cousins the 'John Wall of the NFL' - talented but overpaid. However, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has said the team would prefer to have a rookie quarterback sit and learn for a year before taking over, rather than starting from Day 1.

  • On Thursday, April 2, 2026, Cousins agreed to a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
  • On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said the team would prefer a rookie quarterback to sit and develop for a year before starting.

The players

Kirk Cousins

A 15-year NFL veteran quarterback who previously played for the Minnesota Vikings and is now joining the Las Vegas Raiders on a lucrative multi-year contract.

Klint Kubiak

The head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, who has expressed a preference for the team's rookie quarterback to sit and learn for a year before taking over as the starter.

Mike McCartney

The agent for quarterback Kirk Cousins, who announced Cousins' deal with the Raiders on social media.

Tom Pelissero

An NFL Network reporter who provided details on the structure of Cousins' contract with the Raiders.

Fernando Mendoza

A quarterback from Indiana who was expected to be drafted by the Raiders, but will now likely have to wait to compete for the starting job with the arrival of the veteran Cousins.

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What they’re saying

“Ideally, you don't want him to start from Day 1. You'd love him to be able to learn behind somebody. That's in a perfect world. It doesn't always work out that way.”

— Klint Kubiak, Head Coach, Las Vegas Raiders

“Well, I do think that there was a time when Aaron Rodgers got drafted and sat for three years. Carson Palmer got drafted and sat for a year. There have been teams that have said that was the plan, and then Week 4, 5, 6, the guys playing. So, I also think there was a time when coaches stuck around and a quarterback learned a system and played in that system most of his career.”

— Kirk Cousins

“when you're asking a talented player to kind of rewire his brain and do something different, he's not going be the same talented player because he's going to be a step slower, and he's gonna be learning and thinking again. When you have a Tom Brady or a Drew Brees, or a Cousins, who's been doing this for '15 years, the better quarterback play you're going to get.”

— Kirk Cousins

What’s next

The Raiders will now have to decide whether to draft a quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft or focus on building around Cousins for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Cousins' lucrative contract with the Raiders has sparked debate among fans who were hoping to see the team invest in a younger quarterback. While Cousins brings veteran experience, some question whether he can lead the team to playoff success after failing to do so with the Vikings. The signing highlights the ongoing challenges of quarterback development in the NFL.