The Las Vegas Raiders have finally added to their quarterback room this offseason. While it was not Fernando Mendoza, who the franchise is widely expected to select No. 1 overall, as that can't happen until later this month, they signed Kirk Cousins, who provides a much-needed veteran presence.
Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler, will likely start the season under center as the Raiders prepare Mendoza for the transition from college football to the NFL. The Cousins deal, which was widely expected, will hopefully have a major positive impact on the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner's career.
After all, Cousins has experience in head coach Klint Kubiak's system, as the two were together for three years on the Minnesota Vikings. While all of Raider Nation should be pleased with the latest free agent addition, Aidan O'Connell may not be, as the move has directly impacted his career trajectory.
Las Vegas Raiders' Kirk Cousins signing leaves Aidan O'Connell's future up in the air
O'Connell has had an up-and-down three-year tenure in Las Vegas. In that span, he has appeared in 21 games, making 17 starts, and thrown for 3,932 yards, 20 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 62.0% completion rate.
While on the surface, his numbers are quite decent, he has failed to provide the consistency to establish himself as a starting NFL quarterback. And with Mendoza already coming in, his future is now up in the air following the Raiders' signing of Cousins.
Up until the decision, it seemed as if O'Connell would be the only veteran quarterback on the roster. If Las Vegas was unable to sign another signal-caller, the possibility remained that it would select two quarterbacks in this year's draft, leaving O'Connell as the de facto veteran and backup.
Instead, the Raiders brought in a proven quarterback in Cousins. While he had plenty of success with Kubiak as his quarterbacks coach in 2019 and 2020, Cousins posted the best season of his career once Kubiak was named the Vikings offensive coordinator in 2021.
Reuniting the pair makes it clear that O'Connell will not have the opportunity to serve as the Raiders' bridge quarterback. That lack of that opportunity will prevent him from proving himself worthy of a starting role elsewhere when he hits the open market this time next year.
O'Connell, instead, will likely be relegated to third-string duties, barring injury, as Cousins should start the season under center until the staff feels Mendoza is ready to take over. And with just one season left on his rookie deal and no extension in place, Las Vegas could dange O'Connell as trade bait.
While some Raiders fans hoped to see O'Connell compete for a starting role this offseason, or at least be Mendoza's veteran, the best value he may end up having could come via trade. If John Spytek can get a late-round pick swap with the right team, it might be best for both sides.
Las Vegas' 2023 fourth-round pick has had some great moments in the Silver and Black, and could very well be a good NFL quarterback someday. However, the addition of Kirk Cousins certainly makes it clear that he is not a part of the new regime's long-term plans and, thus, expendable.