Raiders took advantage of loophole to save $8.7 million
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- The Raiders exploited a loophole in NFL contract rules to pay quarterback Kirk Cousins $20 million for 2026 while only actually paying him $11.3 million themselves.
- Instead of a straightforward $20 million one-year deal, the Raiders structured Cousins' contract with $1.3 million paid in 2024 and a fully guaranteed $10 million in 2027, shifting part of the financial burden to the Falcons.
- This strategy leverages Cousins' existing $10 million guaranteed from the Falcons, effectively making the Falcons responsible for $8.7 million of the total payment.
- The loophole raises questions about fairness and whether the NFL will move to close it, as it allows teams to manipulate guaranteed money owed by other teams.
- The situation highlights how NFL teams must understand and navigate contract rules strategically, while also guarding against similar tactics being used against them.
