Cousins joined the Raiders, and he is expected to start until Fernando Mendoza is ready. We do not expect that to take long and would only draft Cousins in Superflex leagues. The 37-year-old threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns against Tampa last year but only had one other game all season with more than 200 yards passing. Even in Superflex leagues, he should not be drafted before the double-digit rounds.
Fantasy Stats
passing
rushing
fantasy
Year
yds
Passing Yards
td
Touchdown Passes
int
Interceptions Thrown
yds
Rushing Yards
td
Rushing Touchdowns
fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
2026
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2025
1721
10
5
7
1
117
11.7
2024
3508
18
16
—
—
207
14.8
3y Avg.
2520
15
9
11
0
162
14.7
Fantasy News
Raiders' Kirk Cousins: Named starting quarterback
Rotowire
Coach Klint Kubiak named Cousins the Raiders' starting quarterback Wednesday, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.
It was a decision everyone expected and comes as no surprise after Cousins worked with the first-team offense all offseason. Cousins played 30 offensive snaps during the preseason and completed 13 of 17 pass attempts for 101 yards and one touchdown, while rookie No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza was more scattershot, completing just 26 of 46 passes for 250 yards, one touchdown and a pair of picks. Cousins should have a somewhat long leash to begin the season, but Mendoza remains very likely to see rookie-year playing time.
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Raiders' Kirk Cousins: Expected to be named starter
Rotowire
Cousins is expected to be named starting quarterback for the Raiders, Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com reports.
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak had refused to announce a decision on Las Vegas' Week 1 quarterback throughout the preseason, but Cousins has been listed as the No. 1 QB on the team's depth chart during training camp and the exhibition slate. The veteran signal-caller was also more effective than rookie No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza during preseason play, completing 13 of 17 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions to Mendoza's 25-for-45 line with one TD and two pickoffs. Cousins will thus have the first opportunity to helm the Raiders offense, which features an elite tight end in Brock Bowers but one of the NFL's shallowest wide-receiver corps. Should Cousins and/or the team struggle, Mendoza could eventually be given a chance to start later in the campaign, though it's possible he'll be asked to observe and learn from the bench for his entire rookie season.
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Raiders' Kirk Cousins: QB1 decision still pending
Rotowire
Coach Klint Kubiak said after Thursday's preseason game against the 49ers that he hasn't made a decision between Cousins and rookie first overall pick Fernando Mendoza regarding who will be the Week 1 starting quarterback, Vincent Bonsignore of the California Post reports.
Cousins opened training camp as the Raiders' starting QB and has been listed as No. 1 on the depth chart throughout camp and exhibition season. On Thursday, he started and completed eight of 11 passes for 51 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions, which seemingly wasn't enough to lock down the job over Mendoza. As a result, this situation remains the top lingering job battle in advance of Week 1.
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Raiders' Kirk Cousins: Sharp in final tune-up
Rotowire
Cousins completed eight of 11 passes for 51 yards in the Raiders' 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday.
The Raiders' presumptive starting quarterback to open the 2026 season drew the start and led the Raiders to field goals on each of his two drives. Cousins' longest completion was a relatively modest 14-yard connection with Tre Tucker, and he also hit top target Brock Bowers for the first time in a game setting for a six-yard gain on the opening possession. Cousins was also efficient in his other preseason appearance against the Cardinals two games ago, seemingly leaving him ready to face off with the Dolphins at home in a Week 1 matchup on Sunday, Sept. 13.
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Raiders' Kirk Cousins: Kubiak not yet ready to name starting QB
Rotowire
Coach Klint Kubiak refused to name Cousins as the Raiders' starting quarterback following Thursday night's preseason game against the Texans, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
All signs continue to point to Cousins being under center for the Raiders in Week 1 against the Dolphins. As Cousins was given the night off with a host of other presumed starters, No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza was in uniform and had a night to forget, as he completed just eight of 15 passes for 86 yards (5.7 YPA), including a pick-six on his first series.
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Raiders' Kirk Cousins: Opening camp as starting QB
Rotowire
Coach Klint Kubiak confirmed Tuesday that Cousins will open training camp as the Raiders' starting quarterback, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
"When we go out to practice tomorrow, Kirk is the starting quarterback," Kubiak said. "He's the guy, and he deserves it because he's played really good football. But I want Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell to push him." This has been the Raiders' plan all along after Cousins opened spring practices as the QB1. While Cousins may get the Week 1 nod against the Dolphins on Sept. 13, Mendoza is fully expected to make rookie-year starts. Cousins made eight starts for the Falcons last season and completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions across 10 total regular-season appearances.
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Raiders' Kirk Cousins: Raiders draft QB first overall
Rotowire
Cousins is set for a quarterback competition with rookie first overall pick Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
The Raiders drafted Mendoza on Thursday after signing Cousins earlier in April. According to McFadden, the Raiders' top brass would prefer not to thrust a rookie quarterback into action immediately, but GM John Spytek said the best player will start. Cousins' edge in experience gives the veteran signal-caller a viable chance to beat out Mendoza, at least initially, though it wouldn't be surprising to see Mendoza eventually take over the starting job at some point during the 2026 regular season.
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Raiders' Kirk Cousins: Reaches deal with Las Vegas
Rotowire
Cousins agreed Thursday with the Raiders on a contract, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
After being cut by the Falcons earlier in the offseason, Cousins had drawn interest from several teams who were keen on bringing him aboard as a backup. He ultimately opted to head to Las Vegas, where he'll at least temporarily slot in atop the depth chart. The Raiders are widely expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft later this month, but Cousins -- who is in line to earn $20 million fully guaranteed for playing the 2026 season -- per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, could still emerge as the Week 1 starter if Las Vegas isn't eager to rush Mendoza into action right away to begin his NFL career. During his final season in Atlanta, Cousins made 10 appearances (eight starts) and completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 6.4 yards per attempt and a 10:5 TD:INT.
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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: Expected to be cut by Atlanta
Rotowire
The Falcons are expected to cut Cousins before the new league year starts in March, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The Falcons worked with Cousins on Tuesday to restructure the veteran quarterback's contract by modifying the final two years of the deal to give Atlanta more cap flexibility and incentivize a release sooner rather than later, as Cousins would be slated to get $67.9 million guaranteed were he to be on the roster at the start of the league year. That leaves the Falcons with questions over who they will add to their quarterback room with Michael Penix (knee), while Cousins contemplates joining a team in 2026, including a reunion with the Vikings, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Cousins appeared in 10 regular-season games (eight starts) with Atlanta in 2025, when he completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions.
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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: Reworks contract with Atlanta
Rotowire
Cousins agreed Tuesday to restructure the final two seasons of his four-year, $180 million contract, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports.
As part of the restructure, Cousins agreed to reduce his base salary for the 2026 season from a non-guaranteed $35 million to $2.1 million, but the amended deal doesn't necessarily mean that the veteran quarterback will stick around with Atlanta through the upcoming season. Cousins is still guaranteed $67.9 million for the 2027 season, with that money scheduled to vest March 13, the third day of the new league year. Given that Atlanta would have no interest in being tied to Cousins at that amount of money in 2027, the 37-year-old signal-caller may have to agree to another restructure in order to avoid being designated for a post-June 1 release. After opening the 2025 season in a backup role, Cousins reclaimed the starting job for the Falcons' final seven games after Michael Penix (knee) tore his ACL in Week 11. In his 10 total appearances, Cousins completed 166 of 269 pass attempts (61.7 percent) for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions while tacking on a rushing touchdown.
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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: Serviceable finish to season
Rotowire
Cousins completed 18 of 32 passes for 180 yards with a touchdown and an interception while adding three carries for no gain in the Falcons' 19-17 win over the Saints on Sunday.
Cousins, who was dealing with an illness that came on overnight, averaged a modest 5.6 yards per attempt and took four sacks, so it wasn't the smoothest of afternoons for the veteran signal-caller. However, Cousins was able to fire a 15-yard touchdown pass to Drake London late in the first quarter, and he displayed his usual chemistry with both his No. 1 receiver and tight end Kyle Pitts. Cousins opened the season with a bleak fantasy outlook and uncertain future as the No. 2 quarterback behind Michael Penix (IR, knee), but the former started the final seven games (and eight overall). Cousins completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 1,721 yards with a 10:5 TD:INT while adding 14 rushes for seven yards and another score across 10 appearances overall. Penix should have a solid chance of being ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, while Cousins remains under contract with the Falcons through the 2027 campaign.
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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: Set to play through illness
Rotowire
Cousins was added to the Falcons' injury report due to an illness but won't have a designation for Sunday's game against the Saints and will be available to start at quarterback, Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.
Cousins was a full participant in practice throughout the week, but he may be operating at something less than 100 percent heading into the season finale after coming down with an illness. More so than the ailment, however, Cousins' fantasy prospects could be hindered by the prospect of some of his top pass catchers being less than fully healthy. Though wideouts Drake London (knee) and Darnell Mooney (knee) and tight end Kyle Pitts (knee) are active Sunday, all were listed as questionable heading into the weekend and were limited in the Falcons' final Week 18 practice. As such, it's possible that any or all three players could have their reps managed to some degree, given that the 7-9 Falcons are eliminated from playoff contention and have little on the line in the season finale.
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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: QBs to Sit
Rotowire
Cousins started in Week 12 at New Orleans and scored 18.5 Fantasy points, and I could see him in that range again in the rematch. But I wouldn't expect a huge performance from Cousins since the Saints have allowed just one quarterback to score at least 20 Fantasy points in their past seven games. Cousins has also topped 20 Fantasy points just twice in six starts, and I would only use him in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues in Week 18.
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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: Week 17 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Cousins is having a solid finish to the season with at least 21.6 Fantasy points in each of his past two games against Tampa Bay and Arizona. Those were easy matchups, but Cousins combined for 570 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception, along with a rushing touchdown, in those two outings. He faces the Rams in Week 17, and they have allowed four quarterbacks in a row to score at least 23 Fantasy points. Cousins will hopefully follow suit, and he's worth using as a low-end starter in deeper leagues.
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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: Produces three more TDs in Week 16
Rotowire
Cousins completed 21 of 35 pass attempts for 197 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and a lost fumble while scoring a third touchdown and losing three yards on five carries in Sunday's 26-19 win over Arizona.
Cousins was unable to replicate last week's vintage 373-yard performance, but he was able to reproduce the trio of touchdowns in another winning effort. The 36-year-old's third trip to the end zone came via a rare QB sneak in the fourth quarter that would end up serving as the game-deciding score Sunday. Cousins is beginning to show flashes of his former glory after looking rusty in his first few starts taking over for the injured Michael Penix (knee). While he is far from a sure thing, Cousins has at least put himself back in the conversation for potential starting options for fantasy managers in desperate QB situations. A Week 17 matchup against a tough Rams defensive unit dampens the excitement around the veteran starter for those in standard fantasy leagues.
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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: Sleeper QBs
Rotowire
Cousins is worth using as a low-end starting option in deeper leagues. He was awesome in Week 15 at Tampa Bay with 32.9 Fantasy points, and he has another favorable matchup in Week 16 at Arizona. Along with that, Drake London (knee) is expected to play against the Cardinals after missing the past four games, and that's a boost for Cousins in this matchup. Arizona has allowed four of the past five opposing quarterbacks to score at least 23.1 Fantasy points, including two in a row, and Cousins will hopefully be in a shootout with Jacoby Brissett. Cousins could be a good replacement option if you're stuck at quarterback in this scoring period.
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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: Week 16 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Cousins was awesome in Week 15 at Tampa Bay with 32.9 Fantasy points, and he has another favorable matchup in Week 16 at Arizona. The Cardinals have allowed four of the past five opposing quarterbacks to score at least 23.1 Fantasy points, including two in a row, and Cousins might get Drake London (knee) back for this game. Cousins is worth using as a low-end starter in deeper leagues in Week 16.
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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: Throws for 234 in loss
Rotowire
Cousins completed 21 of 33 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Jets.
Cousins had only 86 first-half passing yards but led a touchdown drive, capped by a one-yard Tyler Allgeier run, to tie the score at 7-7 with nine seconds left before halftime. Atlanta's first drive of the third quarter was also capped by a rushing score, this time on a five-yard Bijan Robinson run. Cousins then broke a 17-17 tie by connecting with David Sills for a nine-yard touchdown pass with 8:46 remaining in the fourth quarter, but the Jets scored the game's final 10 points to drop Atlanta to 4-8. Despite the slow start, Cousins ultimately exceeded 200 passing yards for the first time this season, but Atlanta's passing game won't offer much fantasy appeal in Week 14 against the Seahawks, especially if top wide receiver Drake London (knee) misses a third consecutive game.
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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: First win as starter in 2025
Rotowire
Cousins completed 16 of 23 pass attempts for 199 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while gaining five yards on two carries in Sunday's 24-10 win over New Orleans.
Cousins earned his first win of the 2025 season in his second start for the Falcons after it was announced that starter Michael Penix (knee) will miss the remainder of the year. The 36-year-old Cousins experienced greater success compared to his spot-start in a loss to the Dolphins back in Week 8 and a pair of relief appearances that netted zero combined touchdowns. The highly-paid backup is unlikely to reach the elite levels of production we were used to seeing back in his heyday playing for Washington and Minnesota, but he proved on Sunday that he can still operate an NFL offense at a respectable level. Cousins will face another soft matchup against the Jets next Sunday, putting him on the map in deeper formats as a potential bye week or injury replacement.
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Falcons' Kirk Cousins: Taking over for rest of season
Rotowire
The Falcons announced Wednesday that Cousins will take over as their starting quarterback beginning with Sunday's game at New Orleans after a second opinion confirmed that Michael Penix (knee) will require season-ending surgery to address a partially torn left ACL, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.
Cousins already looked to be in line to start at least four games after the Falcons relayed Monday that Penix would be headed to injured reserve, but now that the 25-year-old quarterback has been confirmed to need season-ending surgery, Cousins' run atop the depth chart will be extended. Per Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com, head coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that Easton Stick will be signed to the 53-man roster to work as Cousins' backup, while Kyle Trask will replace Stick on the team's practice squad. Cousins hasn't been productive in limited opportunities this season, as the Falcons have scored just one touchdown across the 17 offensive drives he's led so far (not counting kneel-downs). Though he draws a favorable matchup for his second start of the season against the 2-8 Saints, Cousins will have to make do without one of his top pass-catching options in Drake London (knee), who is week-to-week with a PCL injury.
