Kirk Cousins Praises Raiders Minority Owner Tom Brady's Mentorship

The veteran quarterback says Brady's guidance was a 'big nudge' in his decision to sign with Las Vegas.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:40am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and an opposing team, with the players' movements and the energy of the game expressed through a fragmented, multi-perspective composition in shades of green, silver, and blue.Legendary quarterback Tom Brady's mentorship role with the Raiders could prove invaluable as the team builds around new veteran QB Kirk Cousins.Las Vegas Today

In a recent interview, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins discussed the role that team minority owner Tom Brady played in his decision to join the organization. Cousins said he had several conversations with Brady, who provided valuable insight and mentorship that ultimately helped convince Cousins that the Raiders were the right fit. The veteran QB praised Brady's willingness to be a resource and sounding board, even though he may not be around the team on a daily basis.

Why it matters

Cousins' comments highlight the unique value that Brady, as a legendary quarterback and Super Bowl champion, can provide to the Raiders organization as a minority owner. Brady's experience and wisdom can serve as a valuable asset in helping develop younger players like the team's expected first-round draft pick, Fernando Mendoza. Cousins' positive impression of Brady's involvement could also help attract other veteran free agents to the Raiders in the future.

The details

In an interview on 'Good Morning Football,' Cousins revealed that he had several conversations with Brady, including a FaceTime call, to discuss the Raiders' vision and whether Cousins would be a good fit. Cousins said the call with Brady was 'life-giving' and provided a 'big nudge' in his decision to sign with the team. Cousins also noted that Brady unexpectedly showed up at the Raiders' first OTA practice, demonstrating his willingness to be involved and available as a resource for the players.

  • On April 8, Cousins discussed his conversations with Brady on 'Good Morning Football'.
  • On April 7, Brady was present at the Raiders' first OTA practice, surprising Cousins.

The players

Kirk Cousins

The veteran quarterback who recently signed with the Las Vegas Raiders after spending the previous season with the Atlanta Falcons.

Tom Brady

The legendary quarterback who is a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and has provided mentorship and guidance to Cousins as he joins the organization.

Fernando Mendoza

The expected first-round draft pick of the Las Vegas Raiders, who Cousins will help mentor and develop as the team's veteran quarterback.

Rich Gannon

The former Raiders quarterback who shared his thoughts on the team's signing of Cousins, praising his experience and leadership.

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What they’re saying

“Tom's been great. I'm going to do my homework before I move my family and sign somewhere. So I had a lot of conversations with people here in the Raiders organization, and one of those conversations was with Tom. I texted him, asked him to call me when he could, and he actually FaceTimed me to kind of get on the same page, understand his vision for the organization, what he saw ahead, and whether I would be a good fit for it.”

— Kirk Cousins, Quarterback, Las Vegas Raiders

“I got off the call and called my wife [and] I said that was a really life-giving call with Tom. He gets it. He's been where I've been and then some. And I think he understands what it needs to look like, what it will look like. I felt like a shot in the arm after talking to him, and I felt like that was a big nudge for me to come to Vegas.”

— Kirk Cousins, Quarterback, Las Vegas Raiders

“[Brady] was in the building [on April 7] for our first OTA day. Didn't expect that, but he stopped by the quarterback room, and I was able to catch up with him in the cafeteria. So he just wants to be a resource.”

— Kirk Cousins, Quarterback, Las Vegas Raiders

“I think it makes a lot of sense, and I think you can look into it a number of different ways. He's going to be the starter in Week 1. I don't think we need to get that far. I just think bringing in a quality player and person like Kirk Cousins is important.”

— Rich Gannon, Former Raiders Quarterback

What’s next

The Raiders will continue their offseason program, with Cousins and Brady working closely together to help develop the team's young quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, as well as the rest of the roster.

The takeaway

Cousins' positive experience working with Brady as a minority owner of the Raiders highlights the unique value that a legendary quarterback can provide to an organization, both in terms of mentorship and in attracting other top talent to the team. Brady's involvement could be a significant asset for the Raiders as they look to build a contending roster around their new veteran quarterback.