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?...

Hellbound wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2026 7:13 am Agreed 100% everyone pointed out his weaknesses every week. You don't think other coaches and gms saw the same things? Add in his age and he's a rental, and a 10 million payment, he really doesn't have much value. I also don't think he puts them over the top. He gives them solid play but in no way is a difference maker

They are 6-2 with a historically bad offense and had you throwing the football. They now get a guy who's 2nd in the NFL in TDs and was playing out of his mind.

And this is coming from someone (me) who wasn't even a fan of the Cousins signing and thought he was cooked. To say he doesn't put them in the running for the super bowl is crazy with that defense. Shit, even average play at the QB position should take them far in the playoffs.

BoKnows81 wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2026 7:17 am They are 6-2 with a historically bad offense and had you throwing the football. They now get a guy who's 2nd in the NFL in TDs and was playing out of his mind.

And this is coming from someone (me) who wasn't even a fan of the Cousins signing and thought he was cooked. To say he doesn't put them in the running for the super bowl is crazy with that defense. Shit, even average play at the QB position should take them far in the playoffs.

I think the rub here between those who felt we could have gotten more value and those who think we maximized our value comes down to how you view Cousins. I don't think he was "playing out of his mind." I do think he outperformed expecations...but the bar was low. Contextually, Cousins left A LOT on the field. Plenty of poor passes, silly turnovers, and an inability to deliver to open receivers downfield. I think his TD production has more to do with Kubiak's offense and our inability to run the ball than it does Kirk being an elite QB at this stage of his career.

He is surely an upgrade over what they had, it remains to be seen if it's a big enough upgrade to win the NFC North, let alone win a Superbowl.

I think anyone who thinks we didn't get enough in return for Cousins might need to review their takes from when we signed him. There were plenty of people who thought his best, in his prime, wasn't good. His 1-4 playoff record was often cited. He's not in his prime, we didn't have other suitors and, as soon as we are willing to listen to trade talks, the Vikings know that we're happy to move on to Mendoza and know that we will likely be benching Cousins in the coming weeks and would then get nothing and pay an extra $10 million next year for it.

There was "leverage" on both sides IMO. I think the Vikings saved us from a shit situation where we could be benching a guy playing decent and moving to a rookie who probably has struggles early. I believe in Mendoza, but I also recognize it likely won't be smooth sailing.

I will be rooting for Cousins to make this look like a terrible deal for us because he's earned that support by being a pro. That's my last words on the subject..... it's Mendoza time.

Regardless of his time here however short, whether or not his arm is a “noodle”, he’s “cooked” or any other metric or comment one wants to make.

Kirk embodied what it was to be a Raider. Not mouth it like some rote memorization by a certain someone standing in front of the podium.

Kirk figured it out in 9 games what someone couldn’t figure it out in 9 years: what the Raiders are.

That alone has earned a lifetime of respect from me and count him as one of the great Raider QBs of all time.

Pure class and a pro throughout.

Tip of the hat to Kirk.

Albert Breer in his SI article noted our return for Cousins is the second-highest for a quarterback in-season over the past decade, with only the Patriots trading a 25 yr old Jimmy Garropolo to the 49ers for a 2nd rounder being higher. Yea I think we maximized our return.

NoThanksSir wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2026 7:43 am Albert Breer in his SI article noted our return for Cousins is the second-highest for a quarterback in-season over the past decade, with only the Patriots trading a 25 yr old Jimmy Garropolo to the 49ers for a 2nd rounder being higher. Yea I think we maximized our return.

Of course we did. We got the 3rd because they were desperate. Some people had insane trade value in their minds rhat were never going to happen. It's not against the law to admit you were wrong

BoKnows81 wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2026 7:17 am They are 6-2 with a historically bad offense and had you throwing the football. They now get a guy who's 2nd in the NFL in TDs and was playing out of his mind.

And this is coming from someone (me) who wasn't even a fan of the Cousins signing and thought he was cooked. To say he doesn't put them in the running for the super bowl is crazy with that defense. Shit, even average play at the QB position should take them far in the playoffs.

I agree. The Raiders are top 2 or 3 in the AFC in scoring with NO run game and not much at WR. Granted a great TE duo, but Kirk did that. My Lord if we had that ridiculous defense we'd be somewhere between 7-2 and 9-0. If Kirk plays for them like he did for us (hopefully a scheme fit), they are absolutely a SB contender, maybe should be a favorite IMO.

Early on I heard the pick was conditional and if Minn made championship game it became a 2nd.
That would have been great cause I could have rooted for Kirk to take them that far.
Seems to be no conditional pick so I'm a bit torn. Minn is not even a shoe in to make the playoffs.
South and East will be won by teams with crappy records. Niners take the West. If Bears take North that leaves 3 wild card spots.
Minn, Green Bay, Detroit, Settle and the Rams will be fighting for those 3 spots.

Raider_Dave wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2026 10:41 am ..... Minn is not even a shoe in to make the playoffs.
South and East will be won by teams with crappy records. Niners take the West. If Bears take North that leaves 3 wild card spots.
Minn, Green Bay, Detroit, Settle and the Rams will be fighting for those 3 spots.

Some folks here seem to think they're a shoe in to make the Superbowl lol

NoThanksSir wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2026 10:49 am Some folks here seem to think they're a shoe in to make the Superbowl lol

You seem to not know the difference between contender and shoe in.

BoKnows81 wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2026 10:52 am You seem to not know the difference between contender and shoe in.

I was playing off the post I quoted and being facetious. But even still, the point being made is they're a contender for a wildcard at the moment. They're not even the best defense in the NFC, and outside of Seattle, Kirk is the worst QB of the NFC teams in the hunt. Contender for a Superbowl is a stretch.

Minnesota is a contender but a lot still has to go right even when you are, especially when you lack an elite franchise QB. The fact they play in the best division in the NFL does make it harder for them as well.

Cousins also does not have the athleticism or arm talent to survive even nagging injuries if they happen.

BoKnows81 wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2026 7:17 am They are 6-2 with a historically bad offense and had you throwing the football. They now get a guy who's 2nd in the NFL in TDs and was playing out of his mind.

And this is coming from someone (me) who wasn't even a fan of the Cousins signing and thought he was cooked. To say he doesn't put them in the running for the super bowl is crazy with that defense. Shit, even average play at the QB position should take them far in the playoffs.

I've watched enough of Kirk to know this is what he's always been so I don't think he's been playing out of his mind or any better or worse than he has been during his career. Take a step back and you'll find plenty of times he left yds and/or points on the field because of his limitations. It's not like he's been running around the pocket creating plays or anything. I think he obviously does make Minnesota better, I just don't think he's the difference maker that puts them over the top

FLORIDARAYDAH wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2026 8:14 am Of course we did. We got the 3rd because they were desperate. Some people had insane trade value in their minds rhat were never going to happen. It's not against the law to admit you were wrong

Matty Ice and Jimmy G netted a 3rd and 2nd. Cousins wasn't demanding anything more than that

Hellbound wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2026 11:51 am Matty Ice and Jimmy G netted a 3rd and 2nd. Cousins wasn't demanding anything more than that

Just because stupid trades are made does not mean everyone has to follow that template going forward.