The Ravens may have a quarterback problem on their hands, and if they come calling, the Raiders have every reason to make things awkward.
That’s because Baltimore’s need suddenly got very real on Sunday, when Lamar Jackson injured his thumb and is set to have surgery on it this week. Asked after the game whether the injury could end Jackson’s season, Ravens head coach Jesse Minter kept it simple: “We’ll see.”
Baltimore sits at 4-4, which keeps the team in the playoff picture, especially with a relatively soft second-half schedule still ahead. So in theory, the Ravens are exactly the kind of club that could be hunting for a veteran quarterback if Jackson’s injury forces them to look elsewhere.
That’s where Kirk Cousins enters the picture.
When the Raiders signed Cousins in the offseason, the expectation was that Fernando Mendoza would likely end up taking over during the season, with Cousins emerging as a possible trade chip before the deadline. At 38, there was no guarantee he’d still have big-time football left in him. Instead, through eight weeks, he’s thrown 19 touchdown passes and sits just one behind Joe Burrow, who leads the NFL with 20.
That kind of production is going to draw attention from any contender with a quarterback need. Baltimore would fit that description, but this isn’t a clean fit.
The Raiders and Ravens already have some baggage. Baltimore backed out of its March trade agreement for Maxx Crosby, and there’s no question the people running things in Las Vegas weren’t thrilled with how that played out. If the Raiders decide to entertain offers for Cousins before the November 10 trade deadline, Baltimore should expect a steeper price than everyone else.
In fact, the Raiders should ask for a draft pick at least a round higher than they’d demand from any other team. Or maybe they shouldn’t answer the phone at all if Ravens GM Eric DeCosta calls about Cousins.
There’s also the bigger Baltimore picture to keep in mind. Jackson is under contract for one more year beyond this season, but his deal still needs attention in the offseason. His contract runs through the 2027 season, and that final year carries a cap hit of more than $84 million.
So the Ravens have plenty to sort through in the coming days and weeks. And if Las Vegas decides not to make life easy for Baltimore before the deadline, that would be a pretty interesting development to watch.
Oh, and the Ravens still need a pass rusher.
In Other News...
Raiders Head Into Jets Game With Pressure Building On Multiple Fronts
The Raiders head into their Week 8 trip to face the Jets carrying a four-game losing streak, and the timing could hardly be more delicate. Las Vegas has spent the first part of the season trying to find more consistency on offense, with the running game still a major area of concern, while the injury report on both sides has only added to the uncertainty around a matchup that already carries plenty of weight.
There is at least some help on the way for the Raiders passing game, with Jack Bech set to be available and Dont'e Thornton Jr. returning from injury after missing the opening stretch of the season. The Jets bring their own list of injured and questionable players, and the quarterback subplot adds another layer with Geno Smith set to face his former team, giving this one a little extra edge beyond the standings pressure both clubs are feeling. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Got Back To .500 With Two Big Questions Still Lingering
A much-needed win over the Jets got the Raiders back to .500 at the midpoint of the season, and it came with a couple of notable wrinkles on offense. The ground game looked different with Mike Washington Jr. handling the load, while Dylan Laube provided a jolt in the return game that helped swing momentum in Las Vegas favor.
Even with the record evened up, the bigger concern remains on the other side of the ball. The Raiders gave up 33 points, and the defense again left questions about consistency and execution that have followed the team through much of the first half. A win can steady the mood for a week, but it does not erase the issues that still need fixing. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Suddenly Face A Kirk Cousins Deadline Dilemma
Kirk Cousins has quietly become one of the more intriguing names to watch as the November 10 trade deadline approaches, and the Raiders are suddenly in the middle of that conversation. After a strong season, Cousins has drawn attention beyond Las Vegas, with his play doing the kind of work that naturally gets front offices thinking about whether a move is even worth exploring.
Minnesota has been mentioned as a possible landing spot because of its quarterback situation, which only adds to the pressure on the Raiders decision-making with the deadline looming. For now, there have been no official trade talks or negotiations reported, but the mere possibility of Cousins changing teams has turned a routine stretch of the season into a real front-office dilemma. [Read more 🡒]