Kirk Cousins is returning to the Minnesota Vikings in time for their Sunday clash against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, where his previous stint with the team ended with a serious injury. The Las Vegas Raiders traded Cousins back to Minnesota on Tuesday before the NFL trade deadline, with the Vikings sending a third-round pick in the 2027 draft in exchange.
Cousins left the Vikings in 2023 after tearing his Achilles in a game against the Packers at Lambeau Field. His comeback to Minnesota comes more than three years later, and his first game back will be against the same team and stadium where his last run ended. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the trade, which clears the way for the Raiders to focus on their rookie quarterback, Fernando Mendoza.
Cousins has thrown for 2,340 yards and 20 touchdowns in nine games this season with Las Vegas. The Raiders selected Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and he made his NFL debut in Week 5, appearing late in a blowout loss to New England. With Cousins’ departure, Mendoza is expected to take over as the Raiders’ starter, possibly as soon as their next game against Seattle.
The Vikings have struggled offensively this season despite boasting the best defense in the league. Kyler Murray, who has started six games, has thrown just five touchdowns and dealt with injuries. Head coach Kevin O’Connell will have to decide whether to start Cousins this weekend, potentially handing the offense back to the veteran quarterback who threw 171 touchdowns and 55 interceptions over six seasons in Minnesota.
Cousins helped the Raiders win their first three games this season and kept them competitive against strong teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. However, Las Vegas dropped five of their last six games, with their defense conceding 30 or more points in six consecutive outings. The Raiders decided it was time to give Mendoza a chance to lead the team, making Cousins expendable.
This trade closes a chapter for Cousins in Las Vegas and reopens one in Minnesota. The Vikings are betting that the quarterback who once anchored their offense can restore some stability. Cousins’ return adds a familiar face to a struggling offense just as they prepare to face the Packers at the site of his previous injury.
The game in Green Bay is scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m. PT on Sunday. Whether Cousins will start remains up to O’Connell, but the move signals Minnesota’s intent to shake up their offense. Meanwhile, the Raiders will turn their attention to Mendoza’s development as they try to rebuild after a tough stretch.
According to Yahoo Sports.