The Las Vegas Raiders faced a challenging 2025 season, concluding with dramatic twists that have now set the stage for a potentially transformative NFL Draft. Despite a promising start, including a surprising victory against the New England Patriots, the team struggled badly, ending with the first overall pick and a new plan involving veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Raiders’ Disappointing Season Leads to New Opportunities
The 2025 season was one to forget for the Las Vegas Raiders. They kicked off the year with a notable 20-13 win over the formidable New England Patriots, who went on to finish with a stellar 14-3 record and secure a place in the Super Bowl as the AFC champions. However, the Raiders’ fortunes plummeted after that initial success, as they lost 14 of their next 15 games. They managed to conclude the season on a slightly brighter note, securing a narrow 14-12 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, who fielded mostly backup players.
Promises of Change with Kirk Cousins
Despite their season woes, the Raiders have found themselves in a favorable position heading into this month’s NFL Draft, holding the first overall pick. They are expected to select Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana. To ensure a smooth transition for their future star, the Raiders signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a five-year deal that could reach up to $172 million. However, only $20 million of that amount is guaranteed, which is still significantly higher than his potential salary had he remained with the Atlanta Falcons.
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Remarkably, this marks the 11th consecutive season in which Cousins has had his entire salary guaranteed, a unique achievement in the NFL. His agent, Mike McCartney of Vayner Sports, deserves much credit for securing such favorable terms.
Even if this is a short stay for Cousins, the deal is advantageous for him. Following several strong seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, he faced significant challenges after tearing his Achilles in October 2023, which led to a diminished performance with the Falcons. In the 2024 season, he tied for the league’s lead in interceptions and was benched midway through the 2025 season in favor of Michael Penix Jr. Ultimately, he concluded last season with the lowest statistics he has seen in over a decade, registering a 61.7% completion rate, 1,721 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.
Now, Cousins looks forward to a fresh start with the Raiders, with expectations that he will be the starting quarterback when the regular season commences.
This move also benefits the Raiders financially, as Cousins continues to receive $10 million from Atlanta after signing a four-year, $180 million contract in 2024. Las Vegas will pay him the veteran minimum salary of $1.3 million this season, leaving Atlanta to cover the remaining $8.7 million. If released next March, Cousins is due another $10 million, or the Raiders could retain him with an option for a two-year, $80 million contract.
Throughout his career, Cousins has amassed nearly $321.7 million, making him one of the highest earners in NFL history. His financial success can be attributed not only to his performance on the field but also to strategic contract negotiations that have proven advantageous.
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