The Minnesota Vikings have brought quarterback Kirk Cousins back to the franchise, acquiring the veteran from the Las Vegas Raiders ahead of the NFL trade deadline on November 10, 2026.
Minnesota confirmed the move Tuesday, marking Cousins’ return to the team where he spent six seasons from 2018 through 2023. The Vikings are sending a 2027 third-round draft pick to Las Vegas in exchange for the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback.
The trade remains subject to Cousins passing a physical. The deal reunites the 38-year-old quarterback with a familiar coaching staff and several players he previously worked with in Minnesota.
Cousins originally joined the Vikings in 2018 after spending the first six seasons of his NFL career with Washington. He became a central figure in Minnesota’s offense before leaving as a free agent to sign with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024.
After two seasons in Atlanta, Cousins entered free agency again and signed with the Raiders in April 2026. He joined a Las Vegas team coached by Klint Kubiak, who previously worked with him as the Vikings’ quarterbacks coach.
Cousins has been productive during the 2026 season. Through nine starts with Las Vegas, he completed 202 of 315 passing attempts for 2,340 yards, recording 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
His 64.1% completion rate and 97.1 passer rating made him an experienced option for a Minnesota team looking to improve its quarterback situation.
The reunion also brings Cousins back together with head coach Kevin O’Connell. The two worked together during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, when Cousins started all 25 regular-season games he played.
During those two campaigns, he recorded 6,878 passing yards, 47 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. His familiarity with O’Connell’s offensive system could help Minnesota integrate him without the adjustment period typically required by a new quarterback.
The Vikings have experienced considerable uncertainty at quarterback during the 2026 season. The team signed Kyler Murray during the offseason, but he has started only six games and recorded five touchdown passes against three interceptions.
Carson Wentz has also appeared in three games, including starts in Weeks 1 and 2 after Murray suffered a concussion early in the season. Wentz later filled in against Buffalo while Murray was dealing with a hamstring injury.
That performance created further questions about Minnesota’s quarterback depth. Wentz completed just eight of 25 passes without a touchdown and threw two interceptions against the Bills.
Minnesota has also made significant roster decisions during the season, including trading former first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants on September 28 in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick.
Cousins now returns to an offense featuring several familiar faces, including wide receiver Justin Jefferson, wide receiver Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson. He also has previous experience working with much of the team’s starting offensive line.
The Vikings entered the Week 10 matchup against Green Bay with a 6-2 record. Bringing back an experienced quarterback gives the organization another option as it looks to strengthen its position in the NFC playoff race.
For the Raiders, the transaction moves a veteran quarterback who had started every game for the team during the 2026 season. The deal also places additional responsibility on rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, who had been serving as Cousins’ backup in Las Vegas.
The Kirk Cousins trade represents a significant midseason move for Minnesota, bringing back a quarterback who already understands the franchise, its coaching system and several key offensive players.
