Quarterback Kirk Cousins is joining his fourth team in his NFL journey, the Las Vegas Raiders. Even though Cousins is a longtime veteran in the NFL, he is still trying to figure out the Raider way.
Kirk Cousins Embraces Las Vegas Raiders Culture
The Raiders are one of the more historic franchises in the NFL. They have made five Super Bowls, winning three. The Raiders have many iconic elements of their team, one that Cousins did not know about.
In a press conference, Cousins said, “I walked in the first time in the building, and I hate to admit it, I walked on the Raider shield, not thinking. I didn’t even see it. I came back in the second time, I looked at the scout and I said, ‘We couldn’t walk on the ‘S’ at Michigan State.’ I said, ‘I don’t think I’m supposed to walk on that, am I?’
“And he said, ‘No, I didn’t want to say anything the first time and be a jerk, but definitely don’t walk on that.’ I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll never walk on it again.’ So, I was glad I caught myself and didn’t repeat the mistake. But there’s a respect here for the Raiders and what it represents, and I love being a part of that.”
Even though Cousins broke a Raiders tradition, he spoke very positively about the Raiders’ facility.
“Well, I’m learning about the culture, and the NFLPA grades are real. Minnesota’s facility was brand new when I got there in 2018, I mean, this is even a step above. I mean, the cafeteria and just it’s highly intuitive where everything is laid out. First time ever I’ve been in a meeting room with a window. So, I’m used to always being in a bunker, and so I get to look out at these beautiful mountains every day, and I said, this is amazing. So, it’s just a really great facility.”
The Raiders’ facility, Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center, is fairly new. It was built in 2020 and cost more than $183 million.
Cousins also added, “And then I love seeing the quotes from the Al Davis all over the building. I think my favorite is that ‘The greatness of the Raiders lies in its future.’ I think that’s such a cool quote to really say the best is yet to come. And I think that’s a quote filled with hope, and I love walking by it every day. I love seeing the Autumn Wind written on the wall too as you walk in.”
It is yet to be determined what Cousins’ role will be with the Raiders. There is a chance that Cousins starts Week 1. However, the more likely chance is that he rides the bench and mentors incoming quarterback, Fernando Mendoza.
There is a high likelihood that Mendoza starts Week 1, as he had an amazing 2025 season. Mendoza graded out as an A and ranked second according to PFSN’s CFB QB Impact Metrics.
It seems like whatever Cousins’ role with Las Vegas is, he is already enjoying his time in the Silver and Black. “There certainly was a joy getting off the plane, getting picked up, heading to do all my logistical things to join a new team, there was a joy and excitement being here, partly probably has to do with the tradition of this organization, specifically getting to put on this logo, one of the coolest logos in all of professional sports.”
Cousins was drafted in the 2012 NFL Draft. So the fact that Cousins is still finding positive angles in Year 15 is not only a contribution to Cousins’ joyful mindset, but also to how great the Raiders are running their organization.
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Cousins went on to add, “So, it just feels like a real privilege to be here. I remember having that feeling when I was at Michigan State as a freshman, like getting to wear that Spartan head and being a part of that just felt like such a privilege, and I had that feeling today. So, yeah, I just think it’s a beautiful place to live, beautiful place to be, and it’s a great opportunity.”
Overall, Cousins seems to be loving Raiders life so far, which could translate to great play on the field.
