Kirk Cousins can see the vision.
The veteran quarterback arrives in the desert with 14 years of NFL experience and a résumé that speaks for itself: four Pro Bowl selections, 167 career starts, and nearly 300 touchdown passes. His decision to join the Raiders wasn't driven by a single factor but by a combination of them.
Some factors are more simplistic than others, like the badass threads.
"Best jerseys in pro sports I think," Cousins told Raiders.com with a wide grin after signing his contract Monday. "I remember being in warm-ups once playing the Raiders and our head coach looked at me and said, 'Those have to be the best jerseys that they are in pro sports.' And I said, 'You know what Coach, I have to agree. Those are really sharp.'"
Some factors are more calculated, like the opportunity to work under Head Coach Klint Kubiak and his staff.
Cousins and the Raiders' new head coach spent three seasons together at the Minnesota Vikings, with Kubiak serving as the team's quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. In that span, the quarterback threw for 12,089 passing yards and 94 touchdowns while earning two Pro Bowl nods.
Kubiak has assembled a coaching staff that Cousins already knows well, as offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko and offensive line coach Rick Dennison were also on the Vikings staff during that time.
"A lot of conversations and meetings to learn how he sees football and he was able to learn how I see it," Cousins said of his relationship with Kubiak. "He called plays for me in 2021, which I look back now and feel like that was objectively probably the best season I ever had. And I think a lot of that has to do with Klint and his ability to put together strong game plans and call games well. I think he showed that this past season in Seattle and the way he called games throughout the playoffs and on the big stage in the Super Bowl."
Other contributing factors Cousins mentioned were the atmosphere of Las Vegas and the Raiders facilities. He spent time at the team's headquarters during the 2023 Pro Bowl Games and left "very impressed," but walking the building as the team's new quarterback offered a different perspective.
What he sees now is an organization investing heavily in a roster built around a young core. Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers headline that group, joined by splash free‑agent signing Tyler Linderbaum, giving a foundation Cousins believes can grow quickly.
"I can tell in just being here at the facility today that, from ownership to management, the resources are being put in place here to give us all we need to win," he said. "And now, us as players have got to go do it, but it starts there."
And while Cousins' longevity and accomplishments speak for themselves, he isn't oblivious at this stage in his career either.
He acknowledged he's potentially, to quote Boyz II Men, coming to the end of the road.
"For me, I got more football behind me that ahead of me," he said. "And as a result, I see my time here as a great opportunity to finish strong. To leave a mark, to hopefully send things in the right direction, such that when I'm done playing, I can be proud of not only what we did in my time here in Vegas, but then what the Raiders are still doing."
But don't be fooled. The 37-year-old has proved he's got more in the tank.
He ended his 2025 season with the Atlanta Falcons with four straight wins – nearly earning a division title for a team that started the season with a 3-7 record. In his two seasons in Atlanta, he completed 65% of his passes and threw 28 touchdown passes – not to mention a winning record (12-10) in his career starts with the franchise.
So while he remains confident as ever in his abilities, he's fully embracing this new challenge with a Raiders team marching into the future. With his play on the field, he'll be able to contribute. But his leadership and experience could make an even lasting impact.
"Going into Year 15 now, [I'm] trying to set a standard in the locker room. ... Just trying to be an available resource to everybody in the locker room that would want to ask questions or want to learn about what my journey has been like in this league, I'd love to help them anyway that I can."
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 minority owner Tom Brady 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.
