Before the blockbuster trade of quarterback Kirk Cousins, the seat of Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek was starting to heat up.
Beyond a series of failed draft picks, Spytek has signed multiple underwhelming free agents. Alex Cappa was poor last season, and Tyler Linderbaum has struggled this year. Those were not low-cost gambles, either. Each signing carried real financial weight, and the returns have not matched the investment. Capital is valuable, but it means little if a team does not capitalize on it.
Against that backdrop, landing a third-round pick for an aging veteran stands to boost Spytek’s legacy. Many believed Las Vegas could have gotten more, but the return is still exceptional. A third-round selection gives the front office another chance to add young, affordable talent, which is precisely what a roster with this many holes needs. It also shows Spytek can recognize when an asset has more value off the field than on it, a skill that had been in question.
Kirk Cousins Was Not Worth a Third-Round Pick in 2025
Despite being a year older, the 38-year-old veteran has actually improved his play in Las Vegas. Flash back to before this season started, and few would have valued Cousins as a third-round pick. In fact, many teams had no interest in adding the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback.
That lack of demand makes his production even more striking. In 2025, Cousins totaled 10 touchdowns in an eight-game span. By comparison, he has doubled that number before Week 10 of the 2026 regular season. The offensive scheme of head coach Klint Kubiak has unlocked a fountain of youth for a quarterback who needed it most.
John Spytek Signed the Former Falcon to an Amazing Contract
Cousins’ contract also played a major role in the deal’s value. What originally looked like a five-year, $172 million contract was actually a one-year deal. On top of that, the Raiders essentially paid their starting quarterback less than $700,000 to mentor their rookie and lead the NFL in touchdown passes. Spytek put on a masterclass in negotiating.
The financial benefits do not stop there. The Minnesota Vikings take on all of the remaining money on the deal, so Las Vegas not only received strong compensation but also freed up an extra $10 million.
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The Raiders 2026 Draft Class is Blooming in November
Despite having 11 draft picks in 2025, the Raiders have only four making an impact. By comparison, six of their 10 picks in 2026 are competing early in their careers. Hitting on draft picks is essential for a rebuilding team trying to head in the right direction.
Safety Treydan Stukes and running back Mike Washington Jr. have been the standouts from this year’s class. However, quarterback Fernando Mendoza is set to make his first professional start, and Trey Zuhn is now the starting right guard. In addition, the game is slowing down for rookie cornerback Jermod McCoy.
Taken together, the results suggest John Spytek is slowly turning this franchise around.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images