Raiders’ new quarterback Kirk Cousins is still adjusting to life in Las Vegas as opposed to his previous stops
The Raiders are in Las Vegas now, and Kirk Cousins, the new quarterback, is still adjusting to being there.
New Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is settling into Las Vegas, and the veteran signal-caller is already learning that the city operates differently than anywhere he’s lived before.
Cousins, who spent time in Washington, Minneapolis, and Atlanta before signing with Las Vegas, appeared on Rich Eisen’s TV show and offered a candid take on adjusting to his new home.
“It’s not that easy to walk around,” Cousins said.
He’s not wrong. Las Vegas is a sprawling city, especially along the Strip, where parking in one spot can still leave you with a long trek to your actual destination. Not to mention the difficulty of getting from one side of the strip to the other. But Cousins is embracing the adjustment, checking off places he’s always wanted to visit and trying new spots around town.
The football side matters more
The off-the-field exploration is fun, but the real story is what Cousins means for the Raiders on the field. He is set to be the starter heading into training camp unless something drastic happens. The battle between him and rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, is still on. This is Cousins’ job to lose, though.
The Raiders brought him in to serve as a veteran bridge quarterback. The likely plan is for Cousins to start the first half of the season. If things go south and the coaching staff feels Mendoza is ready, that would be the natural transition point for the rookie to step in.
However, if Cousins plays well and the Raiders are winning games, there is no reason to force Mendoza into action before he’s prepared. That could push the rookie’s true debut to 2027.
Las Vegas wants to handle the quarterback transition the right way, and Cousins seems aligned with that philosophy. When he first signed, he made it clear that if he’s not the best man for the job, he doesn’t want to play. That kind of selflessness matters in a locker room, especially one trying to change its culture.
Cousins is all in on the Raiders and the city
Cousins genuinely seems to care about this franchise getting turned around. He’s invested in the city, in the process, and in approaching this opportunity with the right mindset. Entering his 15th NFL season, he’s quickly discovering that Vegas operates unlike any market he’s experienced.
He’ll also learn soon enough that playing for the Raiders comes with its own unique challenges. The early signs suggest Cousins is the right fit for what Las Vegas needs at this stage of its rebuild.