The Minnesota Vikings have reacquired quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft pick. Cousins, 38, previously led the Vikings from 2018 to 2023.
This season, Cousins has completed 202 of 315 passes for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a passer rating of 97.1. In contrast, other Vikings quarterbacks this season have combined for 137 of 225 passes for 1,286 yards, eight touchdowns, five interceptions, and a passer rating of 82.0.
The move follows a recent dispiriting loss to the Buffalo Bills, where Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz completed eight of 25 passes for 81 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. The Vikings currently rank first in scoring defense but 27th in points scored.
For the Raiders, the trade provides a free third-round pick after signing Cousins to a one-year, $11.3m fully guaranteed contract. Their plan was for Cousins to start until 2026 first overall pick Fernando Mendoza was ready for the NFL.