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East Rutherford Today
By the People, for the People
Raiders Expected to Pursue Veteran QB Kirk Cousins
Falcons release Cousins, opening up opportunity for Raiders to add experienced QB to mentor top draft pick
Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:28am
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The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to make a play for veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins after he was released by the Atlanta Falcons. The Raiders are looking at Cousins as a potential mentor for their presumptive No. 1 draft pick, Fernando Mendoza, as they don't want to rush the young quarterback into the starting role right away.
Why it matters
The Raiders are in need of a veteran quarterback to help develop their top draft pick, and Cousins' experience and success in the NFL make him an attractive option. This move could have significant implications for the Raiders' quarterback situation and their plans for Mendoza's transition to the NFL.
The details
Cousins, a 37-year-old quarterback, was released by the Falcons on Wednesday, a move that was anticipated for some time. The Raiders are now expected to pursue Cousins as a veteran presence who can help mentor Mendoza, their presumptive first-round pick. Raiders general manager John Spytek has expressed a desire to 'limit the amount of pressure' on a young quarterback by having an experienced player at the position.
- Cousins was released by the Falcons on March 11, 2026.
- Spytek made his comments about developing young quarterbacks at the NFL Combine in February 2026.
The players
Kirk Cousins
A 37-year-old veteran quarterback who has played 19 seasons in the NFL, with stops in Washington, Minnesota, and most recently Atlanta. He has 44,700 regular-season passing yards and 298 passing touchdowns, ranking 19th and 15th respectively in NFL history.
Fernando Mendoza
The presumptive No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, who the Raiders are expected to select and develop as their future starting quarterback.
John Spytek
The general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders, who has expressed a desire to limit the pressure on a young quarterback by having an experienced veteran at the position.
What they’re saying
“I think you want to limit the amount of pressure you have on that guy from the start. If you have a young quarterback, I'm not necessarily in favor of running him out there right away. So, [it's important to have] another quality player that can play the quarterback position, if you have a young quarterback.”
— John Spytek, General Manager, Las Vegas Raiders
What’s next
The Raiders will need to determine if they want to pursue Cousins as a veteran mentor for Mendoza, and if they can reach an agreement on a contract with the free agent quarterback.
The takeaway
The Raiders' pursuit of Kirk Cousins highlights their desire to develop their top draft pick, Fernando Mendoza, in a measured way by providing him with an experienced veteran quarterback to learn from. This move could have significant implications for the Raiders' quarterback situation and their plans for Mendoza's transition to the NFL.
