Kirk Cousins Completes Hilarious Retirement Quip Cycle with Raiders

The veteran QB's latest contract with Las Vegas sets a new standard for guaranteed money.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:36pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football quarterback in mid-throw motion, with sharp, overlapping planes in the Raiders' silver and black colors, conceptually representing the complex nature of modern NFL contracts.Cousins' latest contract with the Raiders sets a new standard for guaranteed money in the NFL, as the veteran QB continues his comedic 'retirement' quip cycle.Las Vegas Today

Veteran NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins has signed a five-year, $172 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. This move completes a hilarious compilation of Cousins saying he wants to 'retire' with each of his previous teams - the Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons. Now, the expectation is for Cousins to say the same about the Raiders, fully cementing the comedic cycle.

Why it matters

Cousins' latest contract with the Raiders is noteworthy not just for the quip, but also for setting a new standard in the league for fully guaranteed money over an 11-year span. The deal's structure, with a one-year guarantee and club options, also highlights the complex nature of modern NFL contracts.

The details

Under the terms of the deal, Cousins will receive a $20 million fully guaranteed salary for the 2026 season, plus a $10 million roster bonus in 2027. The contract also contains a club option for two additional years at $80 million. Cousins' previous teams, the Redskins, Vikings, and Falcons, will also be paying portions of his salary this season.

  • Cousins signed the five-year, $172 million contract with the Raiders on April 2, 2026.
  • The $10 million roster bonus is due on the third day of the 2027 NFL league year.

The players

Kirk Cousins

A 37-year-old veteran quarterback who has now played for four different NFL franchises, most recently signing a lucrative deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Fernando Mendoza

A highly touted quarterback prospect from Indiana University, who many believe the Raiders could select with the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft to potentially replace or compete with Cousins.

Adam Schefter

A prominent NFL reporter for ESPN who provided detailed analysis of the complex structure of Cousins' new contract with the Raiders.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'Comp update: Kirk Cousins will sign a five-year, $172 million deal with the Raiders that, in reality, is a one-year, fully-guaranteed $20 million deal that also contains a club option for two years at $80M.'”

— Adam Schefter, NFL Reporter

What’s next

The Raiders will have to decide whether to exercise the club option on Cousins' contract after the 2026 season, or potentially look to the future by drafting a quarterback like Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick.

The takeaway

Kirk Cousins' latest contract with the Raiders not only completes a hilarious running gag, but also sets a new standard for fully guaranteed money over an 11-year span in the NFL. The deal's complex structure highlights the evolving nature of quarterback contracts in the league.