Cousins' Contract Sorcery: Raiders, Falcons & Mendoza

On April 3rd, Kirk Cousins just landed with the Las Vegas Raiders on what looks like a

five-year, $172 million deal.

But dig deeper, and it's really a one-year, fully guaranteed $20 million contract, with

the rest mostly window-dressing.

The Atlanta Falcons are footing $8,700,000 of his pay this year, thanks to offset rules,

while the Raiders cover the remaining $11,300,000.

This keeps Cousins on his streak of 11 straight, fully guaranteed NFL seasons.

Fans and analysts are calling it contract sorcery.

The Falcons end up paying less than they might have otherwise, but Cousins pockets more

overall.

Critics say it's slick gainsmanship that leaves his old team holding the bag.

He's stepping in as a mentor for the Raiders' probable first overall draft pick for Nando

Mendoza.

At 37 and turning 38 this August, Cousins hasn't had unguaranteed money in over a decade.

Some next offseason, a $10 million roster bonus hits, but that $2-year $80 million club

option probably won't stick.

Cousins will likely hit free agency again, ready to cash in one more time.

I'm Corey, with the story.

That's your NFL News Today update, AI-powered and always on.