Kirk Cousins
Quarterback #18
Kirk Cousins News
Kirk Cousins Still the Raiders' Starting QB
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said on Monday that veteran Kirk Cousins is still the starting quarterback, but if Fernando Mendoza's number is called, "we have confidence in him," according to Levi Edwards of the team's official website. Cousins went 19-for-28 for 243 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in Sunday's 45-17 blowout loss to the New England Patriots and gave way to the first overall pick out of Indiana late in the second half. In Mendoza's first regular-season game action in the NFL, he went 6-for-8 passing for 48 yards and also ran the ball once for three yards. The 38-year-old Cousins did not have a terrible performance by any means in Week 5, and although he is just keeping the seat warm for Mendoza, he has earned a longer leash as Vegas' starter due to the team's 3-2 record to open the 2026 campaign. The Raiders will be looking to avoid a third straight loss in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills in a game in which Cousins could be forced to throw the ball often to keep up with Buffalo's high-octane offense. Cousins has surprisingly been the QB7 overall in fantasy with 1,269 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions through five games.
Oct 12, 2026 12:36 PM EST
Kirk Cousins a High-End QB2 in Tough Matchup vs. Patriots
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is proving to be a strong starting option for fantasy managers, even as he readies his team to face the Patriots in Foxborough in Week 5. The veteran play-caller is coming off an impressive appearance against the Chiefs, throwing for a season-high 365 yards with two touchdowns and just one interception against a tough Kansas City defense. The Week 5 matchup is far from ideal since New England has been top-tier at defending the pass, allowing just 189.8 yards and five touchdowns in the air through Week 4. However, Cousins might not have Ashton Jeanty (ankle/foot) to lean on, so he will have to confidently lead the Raiders downfield through the air. Cousins remains a must-play in flex leagues, while also transforming into a high-end QB2 in standard formats because of his consistent production.
Oct 9, 2026 1:53 PM EST
Kirk Cousins Is More Than a One-Week Streamer
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has played his way into the waiver conversation after another productive afternoon. Cousins threw for a season-high 365 yards and two touchdowns against Kansas City, completing 31 of 52 passes and adding one interception. He has now thrown multiple touchdowns in all four games and owns 1,026 passing yards with 11 scores against four picks. The Week 5 matchup at New England is not ideal, so Cousins is not the top one-week streamer on the board. His value goes beyond this Sunday, though. Las Vegas has been willing to put the ball in his hands, and there is little reason to worry about his starting job after three straight 22-point fantasy performances. Cousins should be rostered in Superflex leagues and is worth adding in standard formats for managers who want a quarterback with staying power beyond one matchup.
Oct 6, 2026 7:57 AM EST
Tre Tucker Should be Rostered with Kirk Cousins Playing Well
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker has been a key part of the team's passing offense and could be a FLEX option moving forward. Tucker has hauled in 15 of 23 targets for 233 yards and a touchdown over four games this season. He has played 64% of snaps and run 78% of routes so far in 2026. Heading into the year, the question marks around Tucker were not about his usage in the offense; they were about quarterback Kirk Cousins and whether he could be productive in his 15th season. Through four games, Cousins ranks 11th in passing yards (1,026), 13th in completion percentage (64.6%), and first in passing touchdowns (11). With Brock Bowers as the de facto WR1, Tucker's floor is low, but given Cousins' performance under head coach Klint Kubiak, Tucker should remain a startable piece in deeper leagues.
Oct 6, 2026 6:32 AM EST
Kirk Cousins Attempts 52 Passes as Raiders Come Up Short
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 31 of his 52 pass attempts for 365 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception during Sunday's Week 4 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. He also finished the game without being sacked. It was a very impressive performance from the veteran quarterback, with the lone blemish being the interception. Vegas came up just three points short of the Chiefs in this battle of unbeaten teams, putting Kansas City in sole possession of first place in the AFC West for now. Not only has Cousins been able to support consistent fantasy production from players like Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty, but he also has fantasy value of his own, racking up 11 touchdowns through four weeks. He's a sneaky low-end QB1 option heading into Week 5 against the New England Patriots.
Oct 4, 2026 9:01 PM EST
Kirk Cousins a Risky Play in Tough Week 4 Matchup
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has been a surprise success through three weeks, but will face his toughest test in Week 4 when the Kansas City Chiefs visit Sin City. The veteran signal-caller is tied for the most TD passes through Week 3 (nine), adding a 67.4% completion rate for 661 yards and just three interceptions. Though Cousins has an 8:1 TD:INT ratio against the Chiefs in his career, he is also 0-5 against them. Plus, Kansas City boasts a top-10 defense that is allowing just 178.3 passing yards per game. Cousins is still a solid waiver-wire add in two-quarterback fantasy leagues, but is a very high-risk play against this tough divisional opponent. Fantasy managers in standard formats should consider better matchups for their Sunday slates.
Oct 2, 2026 12:46 PM EST
Kirk Cousins Emerging as a Must-Roster Quarterback in Two-QB Leagues
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has been one of the surprise success stories of the 2026 season so far, completing 67.4% of his pass attempts for 661 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions across his first three games played. Cousins has thrown for exactly three touchdowns in each contest so far, which is likely to regress over the course of the season. Still, the Raiders offense has been much improved this year despite being without star tight end Brock Bowers for the first two weeks of the season. With Bowers making his return in Week 3 and looking like a true impact pass-catcher, fantasy managers can start to buy into Cousins' resurgence. In two-quarterback league formats, Cousins profiles as a must-add waiver-wire target ahead of his Week 4 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Sep 29, 2026 12:25 PM EST
Kirk Cousins Maintains Streamer Status vs. Saints in Week 3
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has been an unexpected gem for the Silver and Black and aims to continue that success in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints. Cousins completed 65% of his passes against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2 and overcame a first-quarter interception to connect on three touchdown passes. He's now expected to have little to no trouble leading Klint Kubiak's offense against a Saints defense that is allowing 340.5 average total yards per game this season. And if star tight end Brock Bowers makes his season debut, Cousins will have another teammate to target as he continues spreading passes around the receiving corps. The veteran play-caller remains a solid streaming option for Vegas' Week 3 road battle.
Sep 25, 2026 2:14 PM EST
Kirk Cousins is an Intriguing Add Ahead of Week 3
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins has played above expectations through the first two weeks of the season. The 38-year-old has thrown for over 400 yards and has six touchdowns in two games. He has helped the Raiders get to a 2-0 record as they head into a Week 3 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Cousins won't be the long-term solution in Las Vegas, but the Raiders are going to ride with him for now. With that being said, fantasy managers looking for a viable streaming option should consider picking up Cousins. He has been playing well enough to be trusted as a starting option against the Saints defense in Week 3.
Sep 22, 2026 5:50 PM EST
Kirk Cousins Has Uphill Battle But Deep-League Potential vs. Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins will be challenged to keep the winning momentum going as he faces a sturdy Los Angeles Chargers defense in Week 2. The veteran play caller was solid in his debut with the Silver and Black, completing 21 of 30 passes for 160 yards with three touchdowns in a 27-13 win against the Miami Dolphins, though he also threw two interceptions. The Chargers allowed 277 passing yards in a Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but ranked fifth in the league in 2025 with just 179.9 passing yards allowed per game. Cousins got away with making a lot of short passes to running back Ashton Jeanty against Miami, but will need to utilize Vegas' young receiving corps to succeed on the road against the Bolts. The four-time Pro Bowl selection remains too risky to start in standard redraft leagues but has deep-league fantasy potential, and a strong performance against a good Chargers defense could raise his value.
Sep 18, 2026 1:24 PM EST
Kirk Cousins Gets Season Off To Solid Start With Three TDs
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 21-of-30 passes for 160 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in the team's Week 1 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Cousins did not light up the scoreboard with his passing yardage but he did find Jack Bech on a touchdown pass and found Ashton Jeanty on two touchdown strikes. The two interceptions are worrisome for fantasy managers as you never like to see that from your quarterback. Cousins should continue to get better as the season progresses and the team welcomes back tight end Brock Bowers to the lineup. He will have to continue to hold off backup Fernando Mendoza as the season progresses, but he could nonetheless be a help to fantasy teams early in the season.
Sep 15, 2026 7:51 AM EST
Kirk Cousins Throws Three TDs, Two Picks in Raiders Debut
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 21 of 30 passes for 160 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in his first start for the team, which ended in a 27-13 victory against the visiting Miami Dolphins. The 38-year-old signal-caller got the Silver and Black off to a 7-0 lead on a short pass to Jack Bech with 1:44 left in the first quarter, and the Raiders remained ahead on the scoreboard for the duration of the game. Cousins was missing top target Brock Bowers (knee) on Sunday and didn't have much success connecting with Las Vegas' receiving corps outside of Bech, opting to connect with running back Ashton Jeanty for two short passes for touchdowns. The four-time Pro Bowl selection showed he has value in deep fantasy leagues, but he doesn't produce enough to be an effective starter in shallow redraft formats.
Sep 13, 2026 3:48 PM EST
Kirk Cousins has Superflex Appeal in Week 1
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is ready to make his team debut against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The veteran quarterback will have a tough task ahead of him this weekend. The Raiders' top target, tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is ruled out for this game, which is bad news for this offense. Now, Cousins will need to rely on newcomer wide receiver Jalen Nailor, Tre Tucker, and backup tight end Michael Mayer as his primary targets. The 38-year-old can handle himself under center, but he can only do so much with the options that he has alongside him. Fantasy managers in one-quarterback leagues can avoid Cousins, but the veteran single-caller could be an option in superflex formats.
Sep 12, 2026 5:48 PM EST
Kirk Cousins Worth a Look in Two-Quarterback Leagues
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is only 4% rostered on Yahoo, which is awfully low for a quarterback who will open the season with a starting job. The Raiders made it official last week, choosing Cousins over rookie Fernando Mendoza. Cousins also played well enough in the preseason, completing 13 of 17 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown in two appearances. There is not much rushing help coming here, and his 2025 numbers were fairly modest. Cousins threw for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games with Atlanta. He also might have to open the year without his best target, with Brock Bowers expected to miss Sunday's game against Miami following knee surgery. RotoBaller has Cousins at QB27 for Week 1. That keeps him out of the streaming mix in most one-quarterback leagues. Superflex and two-quarterback are different. Cousins has a starting job right now, and at 4% rostered, that alone makes him worth picking up in those formats.
Sep 10, 2026 11:56 AM EST
Raiders Officially Name Kirk Cousins the Week 1 Starter
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has officially named veteran Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Despite a training-camp push by first overall pick Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders have decided to let the 38-year-old veteran open the 2026 campaign as the starter under center. The expectation all along was that Cousins would open the year as the starter to give Mendoza more time to adapt to the NFL game and get used to playing under center. In 30 offensive snaps during the preseason, Cousins went 13-for-17 for 101 yards with one touchdown. Cousins could have some low-end QB2 sleeper appeal in the season opener against Miami in what should be an improved Raiders offense, but with Mendoza looming as the long-term option at the position, he makes for an unintriguing two-QB superflex option in season-long formats as he heads into his 15th NFL season.
Sep 2, 2026 8:52 AM EST
Raiders Set to Name Kirk Cousins as Week 1 Starter
According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to name veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins their Week 1 starter. Even though Cousins was slated to take the starting job back at the beginning of training camp, newly appointed head coach Klint Kubiak has kept the door open for a competition. However, the veteran earned the starting gig over first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell. Cousins has been sharp in the preseason, going 5-for-6 in the opener and 8-for-11 in their preseason finale this past Thursday evening. Last season, Cousins appeared in 10 games for the Falcons and averaged 205.5 passing yards per game with a 10:5 TD:INT in the eight games in which he logged more than 50 offensive snaps. Given that the Raiders lack many proven options in the passing game outside of star tight end Brock Bowers, the 38-year-old carries low-end QB3 appeal in their Week 1 opener against the Miami Dolphins.
Aug 29, 2026 1:22 PM EST
Kirk Cousins Expected to "Eventually" be Named the Starting QB
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Las Vegas Raiders veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected "to be named the starter eventually," according to people inside the Raiders' building and league-wide with other teams. Head coach Klint Kubiak was non-committal on naming a starter for Week 1 of the regular season against the Miami Dolphins after the team's preseason finale on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers, in which both Cousins and rookie first overall pick Fernando Mendoza played. Cousins went 8-for-11 for 51 yards, while Mendoza went 7-for-14 for 57 yards with an interception. Although Mendoza saw some first-team reps in training camp practices, Cousins has been treated like the starter since the spring, according to Fowler. At best, the 14-year veteran and four-time Pro Bowler is a low-end, short-term option in superflex leagues in 2026, but the overwhelming consensus is that Mendoza will be making starts under center this year for the Raiders sooner rather than later. Cousins only played in 10 games (eight starts) for the Atlanta Falcons last year after Michael Penix Jr.'s (knee) season-ending ACL tear, throwing for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Aug 28, 2026 2:22 PM EST
Kirk Cousins Listed as Starter on Raiders' Unofficial Depth Chart
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins was listed as the starter on the team's unofficial depth chart ahead of their preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers. According to head coach Klint Kubiak, Cousins has taken most of the first-team reps in practice and that it is "his job to lose." The veteran quarterback signed a two-year, $12.6 million deal with the Raiders this offseason and was set to compete with first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza for the starting job. With Cousins and most of the starting offense not playing in the team's second preseason game against the Houston Texans, it points to the 15th-year quarterback starting in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. Even if Cousins is named the starting quarterback this season, his lack of weapons and rushing ability leaves him as an irrelevant piece in fantasy this season.
Aug 24, 2026 5:53 PM EST
Klint Kubiak Says Raiders' Starting QB Job is Kirk Cousins' to Lose
When asked about the team's quarterback battle, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said it is Kirk Cousins' job to lose. Following their 27-14 preseason loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Kubiak said, "Kirk's been getting the reps with the 1s, and it's his job to lose." Cousins had a strong first drive in Thursday night's game, completing five of six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown to tight end Michael Mayer. While rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza had a solid night as well, Kubiak's commitment to Cousins has dropped Mendoza on fantasy draft boards this season. If Cousins starts in Week 1, he will likely be a non-factor in fantasy leagues this season, while Mendoza's stock will fall in Superflex leagues.
Aug 13, 2026 7:26 PM EST
Kirk Cousins, Maxx Crosby Held Out After Friday Altercation
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive end Maxx Crosby will both be held out of Saturday's practice after violating team rules during Friday's altercation, according to Adam Schefter. Head coach Klint Kubiak made the decision after the two got into it during team drills. Crosby made contact with Cousins on multiple plays before the veteran quarterback shoved him and grabbed his jersey, prompting teammates to step in and separate them. No punches were reported. Cousins enters the preseason as Las Vegas' starting quarterback after throwing for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions across 10 games with Atlanta last season. Kubiak has already identified Cousins as the starter, with first overall pick Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell working behind him. Saturday's absence gives both younger quarterbacks some additional reps while Cousins serves the one-practice discipline alongside Crosby.
Aug 8, 2026 9:30 AM EST
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