Rams lose out on high profile backup QB option

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 04: Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) drops back to pass during the NFL game between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons on January 4th, 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Las Vegas Raiders are signing free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins. The team needed a veteran presence while all signs point to them drafting Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in this year's NFL Draft.

Cousins may have a chance to enter the season as Las Vegas' starter and head coach Klint Kubiak suggested as much this week at NFL owners meetings.

Kirk Cousins is signing with the Raiders, per @MikeMcCartney7.

- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2026

Also a headline from league meetings this week is the fact that Les Snead and Sean McVay both voiced that the Los Angeles Rams were interested in Cousins as a backup option to Matthew Stafford. That leaves the team with Jimmy Garoppolo, who spent the last two seasons with the team. Stetson Bennett enters his fourth season and is the only other signal caller currently on the roster.

Will the Rams take the obvious route and reunite with Garoppolo? Does the former 49er have other options and a path to start elsewhere? That could drive up his price tag outside of the Rams' willingness to pay.