Kirk Cousins’ Las Vegas Raiders Trade Chances Revealed Ahead of NFL Deadline

Raiders face big decision on Kirk Cousins© Instagram/ @kirkcousins

Kirk Cousins is probably staying put in Las Vegas. ESPN's Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler put his odds of being traded before the Nov. 10 deadline at 20%. The Raiders opened the season 3-0 and have not won since. Playoff hopes are fading, rookie Fernando Mendoza is waiting behind Cousins, and a deal would bring picks. Still, the analysts see little reason for Las Vegas to move. If a trade does happen, they name the Panthers, Giants and Vikings as the likeliest landing spots.

Why ESPN says a Kirk Cousins trade is unlikely

Fowler laid out the case in a feature released Wednesday. "There are no glaring needs at quarterback leaguewide, but injuries happen every week. The Raiders have not planned to be overly active at the deadline."

That matters for a team in the middle of a skid. Buyers usually appear when a quarterback goes down, and no contender has lost a starter that anyone has reported. Las Vegas also seems content to hold steady rather than sell.

Cousins is not without value, though. Fowler adds of Cousins' trade chances, "Cousins played well enough through seven games that he has trade value. So does his contract, which after being reworked features a $1.3 million base salary."

A base salary that low makes him cheap for any team with cap worries. A contender that loses its starter in November could see him as an easy fix.

What a Raiders move could mean for Fernando Mendoza

The bigger question is the rookie. Mendoza has not started, and the Raiders are still deciding when to give him the job. Trading Cousins would clear the path and bring back draft capital. Keeping him lets the team stay competitive while Mendoza learns.

Minnesota is the name that stands out. Cousins played there before, so the Vikings would know exactly what they are getting. Carolina and New York round out the ESPN list.

Odds of one in five are low but not zero. One bad injury at the wrong position could change the market in a day, and Las Vegas would have to answer the phone. Watch the quarterback news around the league through Nov. 10.