{"id":852042,"date":"2026-04-03T21:53:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T21:53:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/852042\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T21:53:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T21:53:17","slug":"raiders-received-major-pushback-for-kirk-cousins-deal-news-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/852042\/","title":{"rendered":"Raiders Received Major Pushback for Kirk Cousins Deal: News Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Kirk\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 27: Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after their 31-26 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> signing QB Kirk Cousins<\/a> looks really good on paper; despite being a \u201cfive-year, $172 million deal,\u201d it\u2019s essentially a one-year<\/a>, fully guaranteed $20M contract with the Atlanta Falcons<\/a> paying $8.7M of the contract this season, while the Raiders will cover just $1.3M this season plus a $10M guaranteed roster bonus in 2027.<\/p>\n

Yet, despite this, they are receiving major pushback from Mike Florio<\/a> of ProFootballTalk for \u201ctaking advantage of the loophole.\u201d<\/p>\n

The #Raiders<\/a> have essentially signed Kirk Cousins to a 1 year, $11.3M contract, that will result in $20M cash.<\/p>\n

Raiders
\n2026: $1.3M (gtd)
\n2027: $10M roster bonus (gtd)<\/p>\n

Falcons
\n2026: $8.7M<\/p>\n

By structuring the deal this way, the #Falcons<\/a> will still be on the hook for $8.7M, due to<\/p>\n

Raiders Received Major Pushback for Kirk Cousins Deal<\/p>\n

Florio went on a rant about why he\u2019s upset over the Raiders taking advantage of signing Cousins for less than what was initially proposed on paper.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs mentioned on Thursday, it seems\u00a0too easy. Too convenient. Too obvious that the Raiders came up with a way to get Cousins to $20 million while paying only $11.3 million of it.<\/p>\n

Albert Breer of\u00a0SI\u00a0has wondered aloud whether the league\u00a0will attempt to close that loophole. Frankly, it\u2019s amazing the loophole even exists.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s something other teams could have been doing, whenever a player has guaranteed money from another team. Pay him the minimum now, and promise more later.<\/p>\n

Legitimate or not under current rules, it seems as if the Raiders have pulled a fast one. Which should \u2014 as Michael Holley said on Friday\u2019s PFT Live \u2014 dry any lingering crocodile tears regarding the Ravens<\/a>\u2018 decision not to proceed with the Maxx Crosby<\/a> trade.\u201d<\/p>\n

If other teams have been doing it, why complain when the Raiders make the same move? A lot of Raiders fans are upset with Florio, saying their thoughts on X:<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course florio is annoyed when the raiders do something lol\u201d @robertnicastr18<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cRaiders live rent free in florio\u2019s head\u201d @Tom_Schroeder89<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cAlways an issue once the Raiders benefit. Right on Que !\u201d @_BIGJIM<\/a><\/p>\n

The Raiders, Despite Florio\u2019s Argument, Made A Smart Move Signing Cousins<\/p>\n

Despite Florio\u2019s pushback, the Raiders made a sneaky good move signing Cousins, and ESPN\u2019s Mike Greenberg also agrees.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you look at the way the deal is structured, there\u2019s no losing scenario,\u201d Greenberg said on an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. \u201cI have a philosophy that far more quarterbacks are ruined in the NFL<\/a> than are developed. The Raiders are a team that has gotten almost everything wrong for it feels like such a long time, but now just in this little moment here, it feels like they\u2019ve become the teams that gets everything right. I have loved everything that they\u2019ve done this offseason.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Raiders have a proven starter who can give projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza time to develop before being thrown out as the starter, and Cousins\u2019 contract is not breaking the bank.<\/p>\n

Las Vegas still has the cap space to go out and make some more moves, or they could opt to focus on building through the draft and keep that extra cap space to hand some players an extension.<\/p>\n

Either way, the Raiders\u2019 signing Cousins isn\u2019t some shady move, and he\u2019ll be a great mentor for Mendoza and provide the team with another solid option at quarterback.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Raiders\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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