Kirk Cousins did not make his latest career move lightly. After more than a decade in the NFL, the veteran approached free agency the way he always has, with research, conversations, and a close look at what the future might hold.
That process ultimately led him to Las Vegas, where the Raiders are trying to turn the page after another disappointing season. Cousins now joins a franchise in transition, one that is banking on experience and a fresh offensive direction. And according to the QB himself, one conversation with Tom Brady helped push that decision across the finish line.
Kirk Cousins Explains How Tom Brady Helped Sell Him on Raiders Move
During a recent appearance on “Good Morning Football,” Cousins explained that Brady’s role in the Raiders organization became a meaningful factor as he weighed his options. Before deciding to relocate his family and commit to Las Vegas, Cousins wanted to hear directly from people shaping the franchise’s future.
“Tom’s been great. You know me, I do my homework before I move my family and sign somewhere,” Cousins explained. “So I had a lot of conversations with people here in the Raiders organization. And one of those conversations was with Tom. I texted him, asked him to call me when he could. And he actually FaceTimed me.
“I was at youth baseball practice. So I stepped away and just FaceTimed with Tom for a minute, just to kind of get on the same page and understand his vision for the organization and kind of what he saw up ahead. And if I would be a good fit forward or not.”
“That was a big nudge for me to come to Vegas”🏴☠️@KirkCousins8 on the FaceTime with @TomBrady that helped get him to the @Raiders pic.twitter.com/GmKyx9Nnew
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) April 8, 2026
That call clearly resonated, as Cousins said Brady’s perspective, particularly as someone who has experienced nearly every phase of an NFL quarterback’s career, left a lasting impression.
“And I got off the call, and I called my wife,” Cousins added. “I said, ‘That was a really life-giving call with Tom, he gets it.’ He’s been where I’ve been, and I think he understands what it will look like. And I felt, really, like a shot in the arm after talking to him, and I felt like that was a big nudge for me to come to Vegas.”
Cousins and Brady then reconnected on Day 1 of offseason workouts.
“He was in the building yesterday for our first OTA day, didn’t expect that,” said Cousins. “But he stopped by the QB room and was able to kind of catch up with him in the cafeteria. He just wants to be a resource. I don’t know that he’s going to be around all the time, but he’s always a phone call or text away. I think to have a guy who’s won seven Super Bowls a phone call or a text away who’s embedded in your organization, that’s got to be a positive.”
Cousins arrives with a long resume and familiarity with Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, which gives this pairing a level of built-in comfort. The two previously worked together in Minnesota, where Cousins played some of the best football of his career.
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Cousins’ own 2025 numbers suggest he may still provide some stability, even if he is no longer in his peak years. According to PFSN’s QB Impact metric, he posted a 71.1 QB Impact Score and a C- grade, ranking 30th among QBs. He’s also the perfect mentor to Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by Las Vegas.
The Raiders need all the positives they can get after a rough 2025 campaign. According to PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, Las Vegas finished 3-14 with a 56.3 OFFi, earning an F grade and ranking 31st in the league offensively.
For the Raiders, this move is less about flash and more about direction. If Cousins can provide competence and leadership while Kubiak installs his offense, Las Vegas may finally have a foundation to build on heading into 2026.
