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Vikings Bring Kirk Cousins Back in Trade With Raiders
By Alexander Cole
Alexander Cole
Alexander Cole is The Library Media’s NFL writer on the Sports Desk.
The Minnesota Vikings are bringing quarterback Kirk Cousins back, acquiring the veteran from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft pick.
Tom Pelissero of The Ringer first reported the trade. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, along with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, also reported the agreement. Fox Sports has described the reunion as official.
Minnesota is sending its own 2027 third-round selection. The Vikings also hold Philadelphia’s third-round pick in that draft, acquired in the Jonathan Greenard trade.
Cousins, 38, returns to Minnesota after spending six seasons with the franchise from 2018 through 2023. He compiled a 50-37-1 record during that stretch, with his final two seasons coming under current head coach Kevin O’Connell. His 2023 campaign ended prematurely after he suffered a torn Achilles.
The Raiders signed Cousins to a one-year contract in April, bringing him in as a veteran bridge to No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza.
Through nine games in Las Vegas, Cousins posted 2,340 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He completed 64.1% of his passes and recorded a 97.1 passer rating. The Raiders were 4-5 during that span, according to Fox Sports.
Under the reported financial terms, Minnesota will assume Cousins’ minimum base salary for the remainder of this season and a $10 million guaranteed roster bonus due next March, Pelissero reported.
The move comes after a difficult stretch for Minnesota. The Vikings began the season 6-0 but have since lost two consecutive games.
Starting quarterback Kyler Murray is sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Carson Wentz started Monday night’s home game against Buffalo, completing eight of 25 passes for 81 yards with two interceptions in a 23-6 defeat.
Pelissero reported that trade discussions accelerated Tuesday morning following that loss.
The developments represent a reversal from the Raiders’ position over the weekend. Schefter had reported that Las Vegas had received no calls about Cousins and had no plans to trade him.
With Cousins departing, Las Vegas turns the starting job over to Mendoza. The rookie’s first career NFL start is scheduled for Sunday against Seattle.
— Alexander Cole, Sports Desk
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