The Los Angeles Rams have been on the hunt for a seasoned backup quarterback, and Kirk Cousins was a name high on their list. However, that ship has sailed as Cousins has reportedly inked a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, according to his agent, Mike McCartney.
Cousins seemed like the perfect fit for the Rams, poised to back up reigning MVP Matthew Stafford. But it wasn't just Los Angeles and Las Vegas in the race for Cousins' talents. Dianna Russini of The Athletic noted that the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers were also in the mix, making the Raiders' acquisition of Cousins a significant move.
Rams head coach Sean McVay had expressed interest in bringing Cousins to Los Angeles, and the team had discussions about signing either him or Jimmy Garoppolo, who has been Stafford's backup for the past two seasons. With Cousins now off the table, the Rams face a crucial decision.
Will they focus their efforts on securing Garoppolo? Both the Cardinals and Packers, led by coaches from the McVay coaching tree, were also contenders for Cousins, adding another layer of intrigue to the Rams' situation.
Las Vegas' strategic signing of Cousins throws a wrench into the Rams' offseason plans. With free agency options dwindling, Los Angeles may find themselves scrambling for a veteran presence in the quarterback room.
Cousins, after two challenging seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, is set to join the Raiders as he approaches his 38th birthday in August. Despite recent struggles, his experience as a 15-year NFL veteran makes him a valuable mentor for the expected 2026 No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza.
In his time with Atlanta, Cousins played 10 games, starting eight, with a 5-3 record. He completed 61.7% of his passes, amassing 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions, resulting in an 84.8 passer rating-just shy of the league average. His move to the Raiders marks a new chapter, while the Rams must now re-evaluate their options in a rapidly shifting quarterback market.