Raiderstation

I have rarely seen a QB do more with less. Kubiak has made it clear that he is the guy this year but his play has really defied conventional wisdom. The run blocking is as putrid as it was last season. The pass blocking has been getting compliments but how much as that has to do with Cousins's pocket presence and pre snap reads?

I am not sure the subject deserves its own thread but I think what he has accomplished this season cannot be overstated and he has essentially put the offense on his back. I don't think anyone saw this coming.

Thoughts?...

raider_kin wrote: Tue Nov 03, 2026 5:55 pm No trading a sure thing for an unknown.

A sure thing that does not have a future on this team. So get what you can for him and get the unknown out there. It is going to happen regardless. Cousins is not the future and his shelf life is short as hell. Mendoza is only the unknown until he is out there so get him his chance to prove we were right. You act like Cousins has beaten a good team this year. He has not. He beat 4 bad teams. This season is a mirage. Trade the leader of the mirage and get the future out there so we can test drive him. The only way he is going to accelerate his learning curve is in live game action.

The most sure thing is that Cousins will not be a Raider next year, unless he has an injury or stinks the rest of the season such that other teams don't have any interest next year. Do you want some trade value in return and want to see Mendoza get some experience this season? I'd love to have both.

I continue to believe they won't trade him, but I'd be happy if they did. If we somehow manage to beat the Niners then I think there's no chance we'd trade Cousins. A loss leaves the door open just a tiny crack.

Yea, I doubt any team really has a lot of interest in giving up something for a 38 year old regardless of how he is playing right now. But if we could get a pick for him, I am doing that deal.

It has been fun seeing some winning football but I would have fun seeing Mendoza get out there and get the kinks out of his game even if we regress a bit which I expect regardless of when he becomes the starter

Attyla wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2026 5:28 am Yea, I doubt any team really has a lot of interest in giving up something for a 38 year old regardless of how he is playing right now. But if we could get a pick for him, I am doing that deal.

It has been fun seeing some winning football but I would have fun seeing Mendoza get out there and get the kinks out of his game even if we regress a bit which I expect regardless of when he becomes the starter

I think the Vikings might give up some value - assuming that O'Connell really likes him. The idea of a first or second round pick for a 38 year old rent-a-player with his physical limitations is a little rich though.

If Cousins is happy enough to step aside once we're out of the playoff race and watch Mendoza and still be a valuable guy in the QB room, then there are worse scenarios than just keeping him.

chucker wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2026 5:14 am The most sure thing is that Cousins will not be a Raider next year, unless he has an injury or stinks the rest of the season such that other teams don't have any interest next year. Do you want some trade value in return and want to see Mendoza get some experience this season? I'd love to have both.

I continue to believe they won't trade him, but I'd be happy if they did. If we somehow manage to beat the Niners then I think there's no chance we'd trade Cousins. A loss leaves the door open just a tiny crack.

I dont see it happening but if we beat SF there is no way we trade him. Not that we are going anywhere but that would be a punch in the nuts to the entire team and fan base." Thanks for the effort but we are quitting now".
If Cousins wants out its a different story. I think things are working out better than him or the team thought. Enjoying his run and knowing Mendoza is in the wings.

FLORIDARAYDAH wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2026 5:58 am I dont see it happening but if we beat SF there is no way we trade him. Not that we are going anywhere but that would be a punch in the nuts to the entire team and fan base." Thanks for the effort but we are quitting now".
If Cousins wants out its a different story. I think things are working out better than him or the team thought. Enjoying his run and knowing Mendoza is in the wings.

I see that a bit differently. I do agree that should we win this weekend we keep the foot on the pedal, but if the organization is committed to Mendoza as the future, and there are no indications that it is not so, making the move while we are peaking would not be a punch to the nuts. While it would be odd to say the least, if handled properly the fanbase would be given a specific reason which I personally would be good with it. And there would be others.

The Vikings make the most sense BY FAR. He has good relations with the franchise and more importantly their biggest star. They are clearly playing for a Super Bowl. They have a crappy QB. Finally, I think they would be interested in keeping the relationship going beyond this year (despite his lack of mobility and noodle arm). He is far better than their alternative. The other teams that would want him now would want him for nothing more than a rental player. I could see Cousins continuing his career with the Vikings beyond this season.

RI RAIDER wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2026 6:46 am The Vikings make the most sense BY FAR. He has good relations with the franchise and more importantly their biggest star. They are clearly playing for a Super Bowl. They have a crappy QB. Finally, I think they would be interested in keeping the relationship going beyond this year (despite his lack of mobility and noodle arm). He is far better than their alternative. The other teams that would want him now would want him for nothing more than a rental player. I could see Cousins continuing his career with the Vikings beyond this season.

I think at this point the Vikings are the only fit barring an injury. I don't see him getting traded unless he asks to go to Minny. I think he is having as much fun as he has had in years. Nobody else seems a good fit at this point