To say Kirk Cousins wants to make his Las Vegas Raiders stint a success is an understatement. The veteran quarterback wants to bring the glory days back to the franchise.
On Thursday, Cousins took his first snaps as a Raiders quarterback in the preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium. He noticed familiar Raider faces at the famous ‘Black Hole.’ The passionate group cheered at the top of their voice even if it was just a friendly skirmish.
Cousins wants to reward that passion by delivering wins.
A couple of those iconic fans I’ve seen for years from a distance; it’s fun to be part of it now. Just taking it all in, it’s a great stadium, great environment. They’re dying to cheer for us. We’ve got to give them a reason to get out of our seats, so that’s what we’re trying to do.
Kirk Cousins said (H/T NBC Sports)
Cousins spent the last two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. He finished the 2025 season with four straight wins, throwing 7 total touchdowns. The Falcons released Cousins in the offseason, and the Raiders quickly picked him up. He had signed a worth up to $172 million.
Cousins took the first reps as a Raider on Thursday. The 37-year-old completed 5 of his 6 passes for 50 yards and threw a touchdown pass. He finished with a passer rating of 141.0.
After the game, Cousins praised the offensive line for holding off the Cardinals’ pass rush long enough for him to throw his first TD in a Raiders jersey.
It felt smooth. I was proud of the offensive line, the communication, the receivers; we made a check at one point and everyone got the check and knew what they were supposed to do.
Kirk Cousins said
2026 first overall pick and the reigning Heisman Trophy champion, Fernando Mendoza, replaced Cousins for his professional debut. Mendoza completed 10 of his 16 passes for 97 yards and threw his first NFL touchdown pass to wide receiver Jack Bech.
Mendoza’s decision-making earned immense praise from all quarters. Although Klint Kubiak has for the 2026 season, the Raiders head coach, who worked with Cousins in Minnesota, teased that the tables could turn depending on the results.
On Friday’s segment of ESPN’s Get Up, legendary Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. gauged the chemistry between Cousins and Mendoza.
They are gonna start losing games, but when you have a veteran like Kirk Cousins—master? This is the only offense [Kubiak’s] Kirk Cousins has been in when he has been successful… He knows his bread and butter; that’s not a knock. The knock is a guy who doesn’t know the system and tries to reinvent himself. Kirk Cousins knows exactly… Kirk is gonna push [Mendoza] but Kirk is also gonna put his arm around him.
Steve Smith Sr. said
Kubiak served as the Vikings’ quarterbacks coach and, later, for one year, as the offensive coordinator (2019-2021). During that time, Cousins went 25-22 and threw over 90 touchdowns.
The Raiders face off against the Houston Texans in their second preseason game, followed by a home fixture against the San Francisco 49ers. Vegas will open its NFL account by hosting the Miami Dolphins in week one.