Kirk Cousins was introduced to the local media Wednesday for the first time as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The veteran quarterback is going into his 15th NFL season, bringing not only experience with him but familiarity with the offensive scheme. He teams back up with a trio of coaches he worked with on the Minnesota Vikings – Head Coach Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko and offensive line coach Rick Dennison.
"Been a good start," Cousins said in an opening statement. "It's a bit of a whirlwind meeting everybody, learning where to go in the building, kind of finding your way around town, but it's been a great couple of days. Excited to be with the coaching staff and be with this group of guys, and just feel really good about this group and about the chance to play here and be a part of the Silver and Black."
Here's a look at the rest of Cousins' top quotes from his Wednesday media availability.
On what he expects his role to be with Raiders
"I think we all want to play, but I made this clear to Klint that the best player needs to play. If that's not me, I don't want to be out there. I don't think that's the best thing for the team. If I am the best option, then I believe it's important that those guys are out there. But I'm excited to get the chance to lead and help influence in the locker room and do my part, do my role, and just, most importantly, help our team win."
On his initial thoughts arriving to Las Vegas:
"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. So, it just feels like a real privilege to be here. ... I just think it's a beautiful place to live, beautiful place to be and it's a great opportunity."
On projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza:
"I didn't win a National Championship or a Heisman Trophy, so I sure would have loved to have that, but I think he's, at his stage, he's much ahead of me. But if you're talking about playing with timing, playing with accuracy, wanting to understand things, have good vision of the field, good feel for the position, those are traits that I've always tried to pride myself on and being accountable to your teammates. I haven't studied Fernando, but from a little bit I've observed from a distance watching games, I'm a Big Ten guy, watch Big Ten games, I think he has a lot of a natural feel for the position."
On tight end Brock Bowers
"My wife went to Georgia, and my in-laws went to Georgia, and my wife's siblings went to Georgia, and the basement at my in-laws, where I've lived for many offseasons, is all red and black. So, I watched a lot of Brock Bowers with my in-laws, and they would always say even when he was at Georgia, like, 'Boy, Kirk, you've always done well with tight ends. If you could play with him, that would be exciting.' So, I think my father-in-law is pretty happy I get to play with a dawg, a Georgia Bulldog. I met him on Monday or Tuesday, and it's a privilege anytime you can play with a really talented player, and he's a really talented player."
On reuniting with former Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor:
"I'm really excited about Jalen because I was with him in Minnesota, and I could see his ability. When you have Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, it's hard to get the ball as a receiver because you're going to target Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, and yet, every time Jalen got opportunities, he showed what he could do. And I think that showed even more there once I left Minnesota. But I think to have him here, and now in a bigger role, I think that's really exciting because it allows the player to really fulfill his potential."
On his mindset coming into Raiders locker room
"I think it's a balance of – on one hand, sure you say, 'Hey, I want to project confidence, leadership, share my experience, be an asset, be a resource, be a help to anybody,' and that's what I plan to do. Set a great example, be a pro. I think that there's the other side too of, I also need to listen, ask questions. I'm new. Let me kind of observe. I don't need to come in here with all the answers, either. There's a balance there that you try to find of leading but also listening, and that'll kind of be a focus of mine through the spring."
The Las Vegas Raiders arrive for the 2026 voluntary offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Leonard arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard/center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebackers coach Ronell Williams arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight ends coach Luke Steckel arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive line coach Rick Dennison arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safeties coach Matt Robinson arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders assistant head coach Mike McCoy arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders senior defensive assistant Al Holcomb arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive quality control Pete Collins arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Treven Ma'ae (68) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive quality control coach Cody Grimm arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Layden Robinson (64) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Brenden Rice (82) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders assistant offensive line coach Ben Wilkerson arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A flag outside of Intermountain Health Performance Center during the first day of the offseason program.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dareke Young (81) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders General Manager John Spytek arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard McClendon Curtis (63) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Chigozie Anusiem (29) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jahfari Harvey (91) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Kwity Paye (95) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Laki Tasi (79) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach Joe Woods arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) and center/guard Jordan Meredith (61) arrive for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Carter Runyon (46) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Matt Gay (14) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center Will Putnam (67) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Greedy Vance (22) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Dalton Wagner (78) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Segun Olubi (50) and running back Chris Collier (33) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Justin Shorter (88) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Alex Ward (47) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (5) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Atonio Mafi (56) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center Tyler Linderbaum (65) and defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) arrive for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99), center Tyler Linderbaum (65) and fullback Connor Heyward (34) arrive for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Joshua Miles (77) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tristin McCollum (27) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (86) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) and linebacker Jamin Davis (48) arrive for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett II (13) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Brodric Martin (93) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Quay Walker (7) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) arrives for the team's first day of the offseason program at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
