Tom Brady Helps Kirk Cousins in Free Agency Decision

Tom Brady, often celebrated as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, has also played a significant role as a recruiter. Kirk Cousins, the new quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, attributes part of his decision-making during free agency to a conversation he had with Brady, who holds a minority ownership in the team.

Cousins shared that he reached out to Brady via text, asking him to call when available. Surprisingly, Brady chose to FaceTime him while Cousins was at a youth baseball practice. “I just stepped back and FaceTimed Tom for a minute,” Cousins recalled, highlighting the need to align on the organization’s vision and assess if he’d be a good match for the team.

Following that discussion, Cousins felt energized. “I got off the phone and called my wife, saying, ‘That phone call with Tom really cost me my life,’” he mentioned. It was clear that their talk had motivated him and clarified what he could contribute.

Brady provided invaluable insight, with Cousins noting that the conversation was just one of many he had while investigating the Raiders. Brady, he said, was present during the team’s first day of organized team activities (OTAs) and expressed his willingness to be a resource.

Despite expectations that the Raiders will select Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, it remains uncertain whether Mendoza will start in the first week. Both Brady and the team’s general manager have indicated that transitioning the young quarterback into play right away may not be the plan.

Cousins has a good rapport with Raiders head coach Clint Kubiak as well, having worked alongside him during his time with the Minnesota Vikings.

The strategy seems to lean towards having Mendoza learn from Cousins before stepping into a more prominent role. Last season, Cousins performed admirably as the Falcons’ starter, leading the team to a 5-3 record across eight starts.