Kirk Cousins and the Las Vegas Raiders had a bad game against the San Francisco 49ers, but to be clear, that isn’t the reason why he should be traded. Cousins, is 38 years old and playing some of if not the best ball of his career. After getting beaten the way they did on top of suffering the implosion they did, it should be clear to everyone that head coach Klint Kubiak has the team trending in the right direction. What should also be clear is that as is, the 2026 Raiders have an extremely diminutive
chance of making the playoffs.
Raiders ahead of schedule but not that far
With a 4-5 record and the defending Super Bowl champions coming into Allegiant Stadium next week, the Raiders’ playoff chances are dwindling down to a mathematical permutation. The solution to that equation is a variable resting between slim and none. Cousins has had a good run, exceeded expectations and been a good bridge for both Kubiak and quarterback of the future, Fernando Mendoza, to come in and get situated.
The Raiders are not in a position for Cousins to lead them into the playoffs. Despite lining up in power formations a majority of the time, the Raiders rushing attack is non-existent. In fact, they have as many games above 100 yards (2) as they do under 50 yards as a team. Taking that a step further, after his second successful quarterback sneak for a touchdown against the 49ers, Cousins is leading the team in rushing touchdowns.
Defensively, despite a strong start, the Raiders defense stands on the precipice of being historically bad. For six straight weeks, the defense has allowed 30+ points to playoff and non-playoff teams alike. They have been the game on the schedule struggling offenses see on the calendar and circle, because they know a get-right game when they see it. Seven straight games of 30+ points against a defense has never been done in the modern era. A statistic no one should ever want to be associated with and one would be remiss if one declined to state that the Raiders likelihood of setting that record was high.
Yes, the 49ers may have had two weeks to prepare for the Raiders on both sides of the ball. But the Raiders had their opportunities to make it a game and blew chunks all over their cleats. All that to say, Cousins needs help and it’s obvious that he’s not going to get it here in 2026.
Trading Cousins
Cousins has been the dutiful soldier and if possible, should be granted the opportunity to go back where he last had meaningful success in Minnesota with head coach Kevin O’Connell. Currently, the Vikings have an extra third-round draft pick and two additional fifth-round draft picks as well. Trading carries no dead cap hit for the Raiders and the $1.6M salary fits within the remaining $6.17M of remaining cap space the Vikings have.
The Vikings have a defense, better wide receivers and a better running game. Everything Cousins needs to take the pressure off himself and contend. Although word on the street is that the Raiders may have missed their window to move him.
According to Adam Schefter, there haven’t been any offers made for Cousins, and the Raiders have had no intention of moving him. Ever the optimist, Kubiak is looking at the schedule and still sees the team as being in it, despite not having any answers for better defensive play or balance on offense. The trade deadline is Tuesday 4pm EST/1 pm PST and the Raiders only have six draft picks in the 2027 draft, with lots of holes to fill. It would behoove the Raiders’ front office to take a long, hard look at what they could get for Cousins and weigh it against the near future. Unpopular as it may be.
