'Don't let this league steal your joy': 'Kirko Chainz' message to Raiders

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  Ryan McFaddenNov 4, 2026, 08:30 PM ET

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  Ryan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN's NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun.

HENDERSON, Nev. --- It took eight weeks into Kirk Cousins' tenure with the Las Vegas Raiders for the veteran quarterback to unlock his alter ego, "Kirko Chainz."

The Raiders defeated the New York Jets 38-33 in comeback fashion on the road Sunday, snapping a four-game losing streak and improving to 4-4 -- the first time the team has been .500 or better through eight games since 2021. The accomplishment caused much-needed celebration, so on the long flight back to Las Vegas, Cousins took off his shirt and let his teammates place several expensive chains around his neck and watches on his wrist.

"It's been a while. The longer the flight, the more likely the chains," said Cousins, who recorded four total touchdowns in the win.

"Kirko Chainz" originated in 2022 when he started for the Minnesota Vikings. Cousins helped complete a comeback win over the Washington Commanders to improve to 7-1. On the return trip, Cousins went viral when a video of him swaying to Florida rapper Real Boston Richey's song, "Bullseye 2," while wearing his teammates' jewelry, circulated across the internet.

Raiders running back Dylan Laube was on the New Hampshire Wildcats when Cousins first channeled his alternate personality. Laube said it was cool to see at the time, but seeing Kirko Chainz in person was "funny."

"I mean, he loves the attention," said Laube, who was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. "... He's just an unreal person."

Raiders starting cornerback Eric Stokes said he "threw a little something" on Cousins' wrist. The large Millennium Ring necklace, which is from the iconic Japanese anime television series "Yu-Gi-Oh," came from defensive tackle Adam Butler.

All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby said he contributed in a big way, giving Cousins multiple watches and chains.

"Kirk is the man. ... One of the funnier dudes you'll ever meet," Crosby said. "He probably [has] the most dad vibe energy on the planet."

The return of Kirko Chainz is one of the ways Cousins has brought joy to the Raiders this season. He generated smiles and laughter in the locker room with his "wellness" celebration after he snuck into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter against New York.

Postgame, Cousins said his touchdown dance was a nod to the team's training staff. On Wednesday, he admitted Laube created the dance.

"I don't get my own jokes, I steal them from other people, and then I'm just a better megaphone," Cousins said. "Dylan came up with it, and then I was like, 'I'm going to use that.'"

Cousins has also led trips to In-N-Out Burger after every win. He invited more players each time, but the trips halted for a month during the team's losing skid. As the weeks grew and the losses mounted, Cousins said In-N-Out started sounding better.

He promised his teammates a visit to In-N-Out near the team's training facility if they won. On Sunday night, Cousins treated No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, left tackle Kolton Miller, tight end Brock Bowers, Laube and others to a postgame meal.

"In-N-Out's not that expensive," Cousins said. "You put your card down; it doesn't go too far, which is nice."

Before the Raiders win over New York, head coach Klint Kubiak asked Cousins to speak to the team about playing with joy. Cousins told his teammates that comparison is a thief of joy. And don't allow the league, which consists of making a ton of comparisons, to strip away their joy for the game.

"He brings that joy every single day," Laube said. "This guy is 38, and he's still bringing that same energy as if he was a kid."