Kirk Cousins isn’t done yet, and he’s found himself a pretty clever way to keep playing (and make a lot of money).
Kirk Cousins Lands with the Las Vegas Raiders on a Creatively Structured Deal
The veteran quarterback agreed to terms with the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, with his agent confirming the deal. The structure is where it gets interesting: Cousins will effectively earn $20 million guaranteed across two years, but only $1.3 million of that comes directly from Las Vegas in 2026 (the veteran minimum).
The remaining $8.7 million will be paid by the Atlanta Falcons, courtesy of offset language in his previous contract. The Raiders will then guarantee Cousins a $10 million roster bonus in March 2027 (not subject to offsets), with a built-in two-year, $80 million option that could significantly extend the relationship. In other words, the Raiders are getting a 14-year veteran quarterback for the price of a practice squad player in year one, with Atlanta footing most of the bill.
For Cousins, the deal represents another chapter in one of the more fascinating late-career arcs in recent NFL history. The 37-year-old finished 27th in completion percentage and 31st in EPA per dropback last season with the Falcons (not exactly inspiring numbers), but did go 4-0 down the stretch when Atlanta needed him most. His two years with the Falcons produced a 12-10 record as a starter and $100 million in earnings, capping a career total of $321.5 million that ranks third in NFL history. He’s the only quarterback in the top five without a Super Bowl ring, a footnote that has followed him throughout his career and presumably isn’t lost on him.
Kirk Cousins vs. the Bears. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)The Raiders, who stumbled to a 3-14 finish last season and hold the No. 1 overall pick in this month’s draft, are widely expected to take Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner who led the Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 national championship season. Las Vegas brass showed up to Mendoza’s pro day in Bloomington in force this week, with GM John Spytek, head coach Klint Kubiak, and even a team videographer making the trip. A pre-draft visit to the Raiders’ facility is expected in the coming weeks.
That’s where Cousins fits in. This isn’t a competition for the starting job; it’s a mentorship role, a bridge, and a veteran safety net for a rebuilding organization betting big on its future franchise quarterback. With Aidan O’Connell still recovering from a fractured wrist and carrying limited starting experience, Cousins gives Las Vegas a functional backup with 14 years of NFL knowledge to pass along.
Puka Nacua Checks Into Private Facility Amid Off-Field Controversies
Puka Nacua is stepping away to get his off-field life in order, and the Los Angeles Rams are fully behind him.
Nacua’s attorney Levi McCathern confirmed this week that the All-Pro receiver has checked himself into a private facility “to focus on his health, personal growth and overall development.” The move came before a lawsuit was filed against him, accusing him of biting two women at a New Year’s Eve dinner, one of whom, Madison Atiabi, alleges Nacua also made antisemitic remarks that night. McCathern has denied the antisemitic allegation, and a temporary restraining order filed by Atiabi was denied by the court in March, though the lawsuit remains active. Nacua is expected to complete the program before the Rams’ OTAs begin in a few weeks.
Here is my report on Rams WR Puka Nacua voluntarily checking himself into a recovery facility. pic.twitter.com/sG158MYUAF
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) April 1, 2026The facility stay caps a turbulent stretch for the 24-year-old, which also included an unauthorized attempt to bring streamers Adin Ross and N3on into the Rams’ facility in December, an appearance on their live stream where he accused NFL officials of fabricating penalties, and a touchdown celebration that carried antisemitic undertones, for which he later apologized, saying he didn’t know the significance when he learned it on the stream. He was subsequently fined $25,000 for doubling down on his referee criticism on social media after a gut-wrenching overtime loss to the Seahawks.
The Rams have made clear that Nacua’s next contract (he’s entering the final year of his rookie deal) will hinge as much on off-field maturity as on-field production.
“The play on the field is amazing,” McVay said Monday in Phoenix. “With what the play on the field has dictated, there’s a responsibility in terms of representing all things. He knows that.” GM Les Snead was equally direct, noting that Nacua will need to be on his “P’s and Q’s in both categories to earn that type of contract.”
The production is not in question. Nacua led the league with 129 catches last season, totaled 1,715 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, and earned first-team All-Pro honors — all at age 24. The Rams aren’t going anywhere without him. But as McVay put it simply: “I trust this kid’s heart. Let’s have an understanding of what the expectations are and who you can become.”
Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn ImagesStephon Gilmore Retires After 13 Seasons
Stephon Gilmore is hanging it up. The former Patriots cornerback announced his retirement on social media Thursday, closing the book on a 13-year career that included a Super Bowl title, five Pro Bowl selections, and one of the greatest individual defensive seasons in recent memory.
Gilmore’s 2019 campaign was the defining chapter. He led the league with 20 pass breakups, tied for the league lead with six interceptions, and was named Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first true cornerback to win the award since Deion Sanders in 1994. A year earlier, he had delivered the game-sealing interception of Jared Goff in Super Bowl LIII. He earned back-to-back first-team All-Pro honors in 2018 and 2019 and was the unquestioned best cornerback in football for that stretch.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesAfter his time in New England, Gilmore bounced through Carolina, Indianapolis, Dallas, and Minnesota before sitting out the 2025 season entirely. He finishes with 32 interceptions and 149 pass breakups in 180 games. A Hall of Fame case isn’t a stretch, and at minimum, one of the better corners of his generation hangs up his cleats having done it the right way.
Extra Points
The Atlanta Falcons released their new uniforms on Thursday, and they’re as good as they’ve been in a very long time.Authentic, Fast, Timeless pic.twitter.com/mUu516fq1g
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 2, 2026 The Eagles drama continues…Our latest at ESPNJalen Hurts stands at a crossroads. Despite his immense success, sources say he has a hand in the Eagles offense becoming calcified and frustrations have grown. With @Tim_McManus t.co/wyOz4XafRR
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 1, 2026 Speaking of drama. Kind of wild how far the Aiyuk situation has eroded in San Francisco.Kyle Shanahan: Hopefully we can get something for Brandon Aiyuk. t.co/JjGO14oYQk
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 30, 2026Hence then, the article about around the nfl kirk cousins to vegas puka nacua gilmore retires more was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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