Ranking the top 6 destinations for Kirk Cousins in 2024
By Ben Donahue
Kirk Cousins Destination No. 4
Las Vegas Raiders (+800 Odds)
Las Vegas had a rough 2023, going 8-9 overall. The upside is Josh McDaniels was canned as the head coach after a 3-5 start to the year, and Antonio Pierce went 5-4 as the interim.
With Pierce at the helm, the Raiders appeared to be inspired and played hard, leading to the former NFL linebacker getting the full-time head coach job this offseason.
At its core, Las Vegas has the potential to have a solid offense with running back Josh Jacobs, receivers Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Hunter Renfrow, and an offensive line ranked 12th overall by PFN.
Former starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was benched last season and replaced by rookie Aidan O’Connell. In his 10 starts, O’Connell had 2,218 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He played as well as can be expected, but the Raiders will need a better arm in 2024 and beyond.
Kirk Cousins might like the idea of ending his career with the Silver-and-Black, and his presence under center would help keep Adams from wanting out in 2024. Jacobs isn’t exactly a lock to return either, as he is a free agent this year, but having a franchise QB might sway him to stay put.
On paper, the Raiders look like a team that's just a few players away from contending, and Cousins would certainly be a magnet for free agents looking to join a winner.
Even with the uncertainty of Pierce as a first-time, full-time NFL head coach and Las Vegas’s propensity to underachieve, Cousins might like the idea of restoring the "Just Win Baby!" mentality to the franchise.
Owner Mark Davis has money to spend, and the franchise has a history of bringing in older quarterbacks and winning (Jim Plunkett, Rich Gannon). Let's call Las Vegas a dark horse contender for Cousins.