The Minnesota Vikings have acquired quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick, Yahoo Sports confirmed Tuesday. The trade reunites Cousins with the franchise where he last started in 2023 and addresses Minnesota's struggling quarterback situation following Carson Wentz's three-turnover, 81-yard performance in a Week 9 loss to Buffalo.
Cousins, 38, has completed his best season in years with the Raiders, throwing 20 touchdowns against eight interceptions through nine games. His performance helped Las Vegas rank eighth in points per game this season after finishing last in that category in 2025. Only Cincinnati's Joe Burrow has thrown more touchdown passes this season.
The Raiders, sitting at 4-5 and still in playoff contention, had previously signaled interest in keeping Cousins. The presence of 2026 first overall pick Fernando Mendoza, a quarterback from Indiana who has yet to start, ultimately led Las Vegas to change course and trade the veteran. The move signals the Raiders are ready to begin the Mendoza era.
For Minnesota, the acquisition represents an upgrade over the team's current options. Kyler Murray has failed to establish himself as the answer through six starts, and Wentz's Monday night collapse made clear the Vikings needed a change. With an elite defense already in place, the team views Cousins as the missing piece for a Super Bowl run. It remains unclear whether Cousins will start Sunday when Minnesota visits Green Bay at Lambeau Field, the same opponent and venue where he last started for the Vikings in Week 8 of 2023. The trade is pending Cousins passing a physical.