The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves at a pivotal moment in their quarterback search. Holding the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the team faces a tough dilemma three quarterback-needy teams are ahead of them, and with only three clear-cut first-round passers available, there’s no guarantee they’ll land their preferred choice. This uncertainty has sparked speculation that the Raiders could pivot toward a veteran quarterback, with Kirk Cousins emerging as a prime target.
With newly appointed head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly at the helm, Las Vegas is expected to emphasize a balanced attack featuring a strong running game and efficient play-action passing. This philosophy perfectly aligns with Cousins’ strengths. Carroll has long championed an offense built on ball control, smart decision-making, and efficiency areas where Cousins has excelled throughout his career.
“As Pete Carroll returns to the NFL and Chip Kelly takes over the offense, the Raiders will be looking to establish both success and a clear offensive identity right away,” noted Pro Football Focus’ John Kosko.
Cousins Could Thrive in Chip Kelly’s System
Cousins’ ability to execute play-action at a high level would be a massive upgrade over the Raiders’ current quarterback situation. Despite suffering a torn Achilles in 2024, he had previously strung together five straight seasons with a PFF grade of 80.0 or higher. While he may not be a long-term fix, he offers immediate stability—allowing the Raiders to focus their draft capital on strengthening other positions.
One major advantage for Las Vegas in pursuing Cousins is their existing offensive infrastructure. While not elite, their offensive line ranked 15th in pass-blocking grades last season, according to PFF. Keeping Cousins upright is critical to his effectiveness, and the Raiders appear well-positioned to do so. Additionally, Las Vegas boasts the second-most cap space in the NFL, giving them ample financial flexibility to add receiving weapons and fortify their offensive line.
“The Raiders already have a solid pass-blocking offensive line,” Kosko added. “Combine that with the second-most cap space in the league, and Las Vegas has the resources to bring in more talent at receiver and shore up any remaining weaknesses up front.”
A Smarter Path Forward?
Trading for Cousins would allow the Raiders to avoid reaching for a quarterback in the draft, instead using their first-round pick to land a high-impact playmaker. Options such as running back Ashton Jeanty or wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan could provide a major boost to an offense already featuring Jakobi Meyers and rookie tight end Brock Bowers giving Las Vegas one of the most explosive skill-position groups in the league.
Now, the Raiders must decide should they roll the dice on an uncertain draft class or make a bold move for a proven veteran? With Carroll and Kelly eager to build a winner right away, investing in Cousins may be the most strategic and secure path forward.
