LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Kirk Cousins said he feels at home with the Las Vegas Raiders, reuniting with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and embracing the organization’s storied tradition as he enters his 15th NFL season.
Cousins met with reporters Tuesday during his first press conference as a Raider, calling it “a bit of a whirlwind” as he learns his way around the building and the city.
“It’s been a great couple of days,” Cousins said. “Excited to be with the coaching staff and be with this group of guys. Just feel really good about this group and about the chance to play here and be a part of the silver and black.”
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Reuniting with Kubiak
The 37-year-old quarterback said working with Kubiak again was a major factor in his decision to sign with Las Vegas. The two previously worked together in Minnesota in 2021.
“It’s a real privilege to work with Klint again,” Cousins said. “I think highly of him as a person. I think highly of his system, his staff.”
Cousins said Kubiak’s offense has evolved significantly in the four years since they last worked together, requiring him to learn new terminology and concepts.
“I was taking notes like it was day one for me as a rookie today,” Cousins said. “I don’t want to miss those details.”
Cousins said his decision to join the Raiders came down to trusting his instincts.
“My football journey has been a journey of faith,” Cousins said. “We prayed a lot about coming here and just felt in our gut we had a peace about it.”
He compared the decision to his choice to attend Michigan State, which also seemed uncertain at the time but proved to be the right move.
“I don’t know where it’s going to go, what it’s going to lead to, but my gut says this is where I need to be, and we’ll let it sort itself out from there,” Cousins said.
Physical recovery and competition
Cousins said he feels good physically after tearing his Achilles tendon in October 2023 while playing for Atlanta.
“Time has helped,” Cousins said. “Getting to play at the end of this past season also helped get my confidence back to be able to get out there and kind of realize your body’s good to go and feeling good.”
He praised the Raiders’ performance staff and said they will help him manage his workload as a 37-year-old quarterback who will turn 38 during the season.
Cousins said he made it clear to Kubiak that the best player should play, regardless of who that is.
“The best player needs to play,” Cousins said. “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.”
He said he looks forward to working with the other quarterbacks in the room, including Aidan O’Connell and potentially rookie Fernando Mendoza if the Raiders draft him.
“We’re always kind of a working force in that room together, trying to help each other all pull in the same direction,” Cousins said.
Embracing Raiders culture
Cousins said he has been impressed by the facility and the organization’s culture.
“I love seeing the quotes from Al Davis all over the building,” Cousins said. “I think my favorite is that the greatness of the Raiders lies in its future. The best is yet to come.”
And likewise, Cousins said he believes his best football is still ahead of him. “I’ve got to prove it. To just stand up here in April and say, oh yeah, my best football is ahead of me, that’s pretty empty comment. But I believe that.”
He said finishing his career strong is a major motivation.
“I really want to finish my career strong,” Cousins said. “I got an opportunity to do that here in Vegas and want to make the most of it.”
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