As Week 9 action unfolds across the NFL, attention is also fixed on the upcoming trade deadline on Tuesday. Among the players frequently mentioned in rumors is quarterback Kirk Cousins, with many viewing him as an expendable asset for the Las Vegas Raiders as rookie Fernando Mendoza waits to take over.
Raiders Stand Firm on Cousins
Despite the speculation, a change of scenery for Cousins appears unlikely before Week 10. ESPN reported that the Raiders have not received any trade inquiries over the weekend regarding the veteran quarterback, and the organization is reportedly uninterested in dealing him.
Las Vegas intends to stick with its original plan to keep Cousins under center as the starter until the coaching staff decides Mendoza is ready. First-year head coach Klint Kubiak has emphasized a methodical developmental strategy for Mendoza since the offseason, and Cousins has started every game for the franchise so far.
Strong On-Field Performance
Cousins has delivered solid numbers through his first eight starts, completing 63.6 percent of his passes with a 101.4 passer rating and 19 passing touchdowns, trailing only Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow.
Holding a 4-4 record heading into Week 9, the Raiders remain in contention for a wild card berth, contributing to the team’s reluctance to part ways with their starting quarterback. Meanwhile, speculation had connected Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings—where he played from 2018 to 2023—as they navigate a hamstring injury for Kyler Murray while holding a 6-1 record atop the NFC North.
