The Las Vegas Raiders will be in the market for a quarterback this offseason, as the team released Gardner Minshew and must upgrade the position to make a playoff push in 2025.
Las Vegas could look to address the pressing need in April’s draft, but The Athletic’s Vic Tafur believes the Raiders could target Atlanta Falcons signal-caller Kirk Cousins if he’s released.
“It turns out he was hurt again last season. (Wink). That was news to the Atlanta Falcons, who maintain that they are keeping the high-priced, ineffective veteran as a backup to Michael Penix Jr. Nobody really believes that either and, after the Falcons cut him June 1 and take the $40 million cap hit, some team will buy this year’s version of Russell Wilson for a tidy couple of million,” Tafur wrote.
Cousins had a rough 2024 campaign, as the 36-year-old tied for the league lead in interceptions thrown with 16 and added just 18 passing touchdowns. The former Michigan State standout was benched for Michael Penix Jr. during Atlanta’s final three regular season games.
Though the Falcons plan to keep Cousins as a backup in 2025, the logical move would be to trade the four-time Pro Bowler. The franchise will save $2.5 million with a $37.5 million dead cap charge if they move him before Jun. 1. However, trading Cousins after Jun. 1 would net Atlanta $27.5 million and just a $12.5 million dead cap hit.
Las Vegas needs to find a starting-caliber quarterback this offseason, and though Cousins has had success in the past, the former fourth-round pick wouldn’t be an ideal fit in Chip Kelly’s offense, and his best days may be past him.
Additionally, Cousins still has three years left on a $180 million contract he signed with the Falcons last offseason, and general manager John Spytek would be foolish to give up draft capital and endure that deal for a declining player.
The Raiders will not have a surplus of options to address their quarterback crisis. However, the team should avoid Kirk Cousins and his lucrative contract at all costs.
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