Kirk Cousins Fantasy Football Outlook (2026)

By Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros), Wed, Jul 22nd 2026, 2:25pm EDT

The Raiders signed veteran QB Kirk Cousins to a two-year deal in the offseason and will let him keep the seat warm for No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza. Before eventually settling into a backup role. The question is how long Cousins will be the starter. There have been reports that the Raiders - and particularly minority owner Tom Brady - would like Mendoza to have a full redshirt season and not make any starts. The reality is that no quarterback drafted No. 1 has sat out his entire rookie season since Carson Palmer in 2003. Cousins, who'll be 38 this season, averaged just 6.4 yards per pass attempt with the Falcons last season and had fewer than 200 passing yards in six of his eight starts. Cousins is a viable option in superflex leagues only because he's expected to play early in the season.