Cousins signs with Raiders

[chucker]

I don't love this. I get it, but I don't love it.

[rich_120]

[SkullCrusher]

So it’s basically 1 year 11.3 mil? If that’s the case I like it. Kurt seems like a good guy for a rookie to learn under. Him and Mendoza both seem like somewhat humble guys who understand why both are Raiders and what’s expected. I don’t see Cousins being a cancer when Mendoza takes over. The biggest risk is we start out 6-0 with Cousins and can’t switch to Mendoza. I’d be thrilled with that problem.

There's plenty to like here but also some weird things that could happen to.

[chucker]

On the bright side, the cap hit is minimal. The 10m will be spread out over 4 years

A roster bonus hits the cap in full in the year it's paid. It's a $10 million cap hit in 2027.

[raidersince63]

We are going to pay a guy 10M not to play for us next year.

I'm neither the Raiders' accountant, nor is the money mine, and no one knows what will happen next year.

[chucker]

The idea that this suggests the Raiders would not draft Mendoza is an epic overreaction. Mendoza is the pick at #1. This move is to develop Mendoza in the manner that the organization believes is best. Don't overthink it.

[Hellbound]

People constantly state that they don't want a job handed to a player and that they need to earn it. Or a player needs to have legit competition etc. Until it happens....why would that mentality be any different as it pertains to Mendoza?

[mstrbass2000]

The idea that this suggests the Raiders would not draft Mendoza is an epic overreaction. Mendoza is the pick at #1. This move is to develop Mendoza in the manner that the organization believes is best. Don't overthink it.

agree 100 pct

ps i think fernando beats out cousins and starts, then we can trade cousins off at the trade deadline for mid pick

[SkullCrusher]

Is this McCarthy and Darnold?

[Nor_Cal_Raider]

A roster bonus hits the cap in full in the year it's paid. It's a $10 million cap hit in 2027.

Only a signing bonus is spread out? Why is there two dummy years if they can't spread it out?

[Raiders Baby]

Kirk may or may not be the best mentor, I see pro's (he's a pro with familiarity of the system & Kubiak) and con's (he's a mediocre player), but I view his mentorship role entirely as gravy.

I think the main advantage to this move is it buys us time to develop Mendoza, which will be the responsibility of Kubiak, Jonocko, and now Sullivan. Mendoza will have a chance to learn the subtleties of the offense, the protections, get muscle memory with dropping back from under center while not worrying about getting crushed.

It will also give the offensive line a chance to get used to playing together before we put a rookie QB out there. We will already have quite a few moving pieces with a new scheme, Lindy taking over at C, JPJ settling in at G permanently, and presumably we will add more players who will compete for starting jobs. I don't care if Cousins gets crash dummied while the OL figures it out, but I'll be bummed if we shell shock Mendo before the OL is ready.

I do believe that the best way to learn is by playing, but I also think that rushing the fundamentals can reinforce bad habits. Putting those two opposing thoughts together, I'd love to see Mendo get his first start sometime around Halloween. That will give him and the OL 2 extra months to get up to speed, while also making sure he gets hundreds of live reps his rookie year.

I think this deal can be productive as long as:

1) We don't hesitate to start Mendo. Even if Cousins is playing well, we should start Mendoza the second we think he's ready, I said Halloween as a rough landmark but I would also be fine with earlier if he's ready
2) Cousins doesn't become a distraction when it's time for Mendo to take over

As long as those two things happen, I am OK with this deal, no matter what value Kirk does or doesn't add as a mentor

[chucker]

Only a signing bonus is spread out? Why is there two dummy years if they can't spread it out?

There are a lot more details in the contract than have been detailed. I'm sure it's a contract that could be played out and there are other elements that could be spread out - like option bonuses, which can be prorated over the life of a contract. It doesn't really matter to the Raiders anyway - immediate cap space isn't a concern and won't be a concern next season either.

[rich72]

Looks like a good deal for us, it gives us a lot of flexibility.

[Willmark]

Holy crap the overreactions to this range from the asinine “O’Connell should get the nod” to “are we not going to draft Mendoza now???”

Jesus, get a grip everyone.

[raidersince63]

The Raiders are simply paying the first installment payment on an insurance policy...this deal gives us a lot of flexibility/options for both Cousins and Mendoza.

[Attyla]

Again, I don't see your points of view or logic and neither do several others.
$11.3 million for a 1 year NFL starter is a great freaking deal IMO.
Again, it may be possible to trade him and the deal is even less...who knows we'll see how it all plays out.
Yet, the staff and FO have gotten what they said and wanted all along at a very good price...so I don't see how this isn't a win-win situation for the RAIDERS TEAM, not what you or anyone else WANTS!

Relax slick, as far as the team is concerned, we have an untried coaching staff. Trust is earned not given. We have gone through coaches like crazy since his royal Dufus has taken over. I ain't giving carte blanche trust to this team until they prove something