Kirk Cousins' Strong Start Fuels Comeback Player of the Year Buzz
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is exceeding expectations early in the season, prompting predictions of a Comeback Player of the Year award.
The Las Vegas Raiders' unexpected strong start to the season has placed quarterback Kirk Cousins at the center of attention, with some predicting he could contend for the Comeback Player of the Year award. Through the first two games, the 38-year-old veteran has accumulated 413 total yards and six touchdowns, completing 67.8 percent of his passes.
Cousins' performance places him in rare company among older quarterbacks. He is one of only three quarterbacks in NFL history aged 38 or older to begin a season with at least three passing touchdowns in each of their team's first two games. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are the other quarterbacks to achieve this feat.
Russell Wilson, a former Super Bowl-winning quarterback, expressed his belief that Cousins' current performance trajectory could lead him to win the prestigious award. Wilson noted that Cousins has successfully navigated external doubts about his capabilities.
"I think Kirk Cousins has done a great job of managing all the noise around him saying that he’s done and this and that," Wilson said on CBS. "Listen, the system matters and who you’re with. To me, Kirk Cousins has responded well. He never gave up on the moment. I think those are the things that go a long way. I think Kirk Cousins wins Comeback Player of the Year."
The Raiders' strategy appears to be prioritizing the development of No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza, intending to keep him sidelined as long as possible. Cousins' effective play could allow the team to adhere to this plan without immediate pressure to insert Mendoza into the starting lineup.
If Cousins maintains his current level of play, it could not only solidify his role with the Raiders but also position him as a leading candidate for Comeback Player of the Year in his first season with the team.
