Kirk Cousins' move to the Las Vegas Raiders may seem like a blockbuster deal, but a closer look reveals a complex arrangement between the Raiders and the Atlanta Falcons. The veteran QB has joined the Raiders on a five-year, $172 million contract, but it essentially functions as a one-year, $20 million agreement.
The Raiders will cover $11.3 million of the total, including a $1.3 million veteran minimum salary in 2026 and a fully guaranteed $10 million roster bonus due in 2027. The remaining $8.7 million will be paid by the Falcons, who are still on the hook from Cousins' previous contract.
From Las Vegas' perspective, the deal is a bargain, securing a starting-caliber QB at a relatively low cost. The back end of the contract further highlights its flexibility, with the Raiders holding a two-year, $80 million option for 2027–28, along with additional void years for salary cap purposes.
However, those years are widely viewed as placeholders, making it likely Cousins could re-enter free agency as early as next offseason. The Falcons, on the other hand, will carry a $35 million dead cap hit, split between $22.5 million in 2026 and $12.5 million in 2027 after applying a post-June 1 designation.
