Vikings Trade For Kirk Cousins, Bringing Former QB Back To Minnesota

EAGAN, MN — The Minnesota Vikings are bringing back a familiar face at quarterback.

The Las Vegas Raiders are trading Kirk Cousins to the Vikings, ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported at about 1:37 p.m. Tuesday, less than 90 minutes before the 3 p.m. Central trade deadline.

The Raiders are getting Minnesota's 2027 third-round pick.

Cousins, 38, started for Minnesota from 2018 to 2023, including two seasons under current head coach Kevin O'Connell.

The deal comes a day after the Vikings fell 23-6 to the Buffalo Bills at U.S. Bank Stadium, their second straight loss after a 6-0 start. Filling in for Kyler Murray, who is week-to-week with a hamstring strain, Carson Wentz completed 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards with two interceptions. No NFL quarterback has posted a lower single-game QBR this season than his 2.3, according to ESPN.

The trade marks a reversal for Las Vegas. Schefter reported over the weekend that the Raiders weren't interested in moving Cousins and wanted him to keep starting until rookie Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, was ready. The Raiders then lost 38-17 to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday to fall to 4-5.

Cousins has thrown for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season, per Bleacher Report.

The Vikings visit the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.