Inside the Kirk Cousins deal with the Raiders

Key Points:

• Kirk Cousins' new contract with the Raiders is a complex deal officially described as five years, $172 million, but effectively structured as a one-year fully guaranteed $20 million contract with a club option for two additional years worth $80 million.
• For 2026, Cousins has a fully guaranteed base salary of $1.3 million, with a $10 million fully guaranteed offseason roster bonus in 2027, and subsequent base salaries in 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030 that become guaranteed under specific conditions.
• If the Raiders terminate the contract before the fifth day of the 2027 league year, Cousins will receive $11.3 million fully guaranteed for the 2026 season, with the Raiders responsible for that amount and Cousins keeping any future earnings if signed by another team.
• Should the Raiders retain Cousins beyond 2026, he stands to earn $91.3 million over three years from the Raiders plus $8.7 million from the Falcons, totaling $100 million over three years, averaging about $30.43 million annually.
• It is considered unlikely the Raiders will keep Cousins past 2026, but if they do, the financial commitment is reasonable relative to the contract's terms.