The Las Vegas Raiders have already made their most important move of the offseason by signing Antonio Pierce as head coach, and one of his first key decisions will be determining what to do at quarterback. Jimmy Garoppolo will most certainly be cut, and Aidan O’Connell hasn’t proven himself worthy of starting next season.
The Raiders do not pick until No. 13 in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, which may leave them out of the running for a top rookie. Fortunately, there are several experienced veterans accessible. When asked who quarterback in the NFL he would like to play with, star wide receiver Davante Adams had an intriguing response.
“I like Kirk Cousins,” Adams declared on the January 18 episode of “Two G’s in a Pod.”I think Kirk Cousins is an excellent quarterback. In terms of availability, I believe Kirk is a solid player.
Cousins’ contract with the Minnesota Vikings expires this offseason, and he will become a free agent. The Vikings could try to re-sign him, but other clubs should be interested as well. If the Raiders are not confident in their chances of choosing a quarterback, Cousins may be an excellent stopgap alternative. The team may yet draft a youngster to develop behind the four-time Pro Bowler.
Is Kirk Cousins the right fit?
The Raiders already given Davante Adams what he wanted when they signed Antonio Pierce, so they may not be too concerned about who he wants to play quarterback. Nonetheless, Kirk Cousins has a strong track record. He has passed for more over 4,000 yards and 24 touchdowns in seven of the last nine seasons. He has a 76-67-2 record as a starter.
Whether or if he is a good fit for the Raiders is determined by the offensive coordinator. Cousins would be an excellent choice if the organization chose to hire a Kyle Shanahan disciple, such as Klint Kubiak. The Shanahan approach is ideal for a quarterback like Cousins, who moves little but excels in the pocket.
Kliff Kingsbury has also been connected to the Raiders job, but he’d be better suited to a quarterback with greater mobility. In terms of pure passers, the squad could not do much worse than Cousins.
Kirk Cousins is coming off a brutal injury.
Kirk Cousins’ health is the most pressing worry going forward. He tore his Achilles during the 2023 season and will be 36 when the following season begins. Cousins isn’t a guy who relies heavily on his legs, so an Achilles injury shouldn’t be too disastrous for him, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.
The Raiders awarded Jimmy Garoppolo a hefty contract after a foot injury last year, and it turned out to be a nightmare. The team cannot afford to spend more money on an old quarterback who is unable to perform. The Raiders have a young roster and a young head coach. It would be more wiser to begin building around a young quarterback. Cousins only makes sense as a short-term option, but he’d probably prefer join a team that is closer to competing for the Super Bowl.
