Vikings trade for Kirk Cousins: what to know

Minnesota sent a 2027 third-round pick to Las Vegas for Kirk Cousins on Nov. 10. Here is the cost, the QB picture and what it means for Mendoza.

The Minnesota Vikings acquired quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday, Nov. 10, just ahead of the NFL trade deadline, the team announced. Minnesota gave up a 2027 third-round pick, according to the Vikings' own report citing NFL reporter Tom Pelissero. It is a reunion: Cousins played six seasons in Minnesota from 2018 to 2023.

What did the Vikings give up, and what do they get?

The price is one third-round pick in 2027. Pro Football Rumors adds that Minnesota is sending its own third-rounder and keeping the Philadelphia pick it got in the Jonathan Greenard trade, per Pelissero.

Cousins is 38. The Vikings say he has started all nine games for Las Vegas this season and has completed 202 of 315 passes (64.1%) for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions, with a 97.1 passer rating. CBS Sports notes the Raiders went 4-5 in those starts. Pro Football Rumors reports his 20 touchdown passes rank second in the league behind Joe Burrow's 23.

On money, Pro Football Rumors reports that Cousins is on a veteran-minimum base salary and that a $10 million roster bonus, fully guaranteed and due in March 2027, now becomes Minnesota's to pay. We have not seen the team confirm those contract details, so treat them as reported.

Why did Minnesota need a quarterback?

The Vikings are 6-2 with a defense CBS Sports calls arguably the best in the league, and the quarterback spot has been the weak point. Kyler Murray, signed in the offseason, has started six games with five touchdowns and three interceptions, according to Vikings.com. Pro Football Rumors reports he is dealing with a hamstring strain. Carson Wentz went 8-of-25 with two interceptions in Monday night's 23-6 home loss to the Bills, and talks with Las Vegas reportedly sped up after that game.

CBS Sports says Murray, Wentz and Max Brosmer have combined to complete 60.9% of their passes at 6.4 yards per attempt. The same piece points out that Justin Jefferson has 31 catches for 393 yards and Jordan Addison 18 for 277. Cousins already knows Kevin O'Connell's offense and, per the team, has history with most of the starting offensive line, Jefferson, Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson.

What happens next for Cousins, the Vikings and the Raiders?

Minnesota visits Green Bay (6-3) at noon CT, 1 p.m. ET, on Sunday in Week 10. Cousins tore his Achilles at Lambeau Field in October 2023, so his return will start in the same stadium.

For Las Vegas, the move points to No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. ProFootball Talk reports he is in line to make his first start Sunday against the Seahawks, who are 5-4 and rank first in the NFL in yards allowed. That is not an official announcement, so watch for the Raiders' confirmation. Mendoza has one appearance so far, 6-of-8 for 48 yards against the Patriots on Oct. 11, according to ProFootball Talk. CBS Sports lists the Broncos and Browns as his next two opponents before the Raiders' bye.

There is also a small record in play. Las Vegas has not had its bye and Minnesota has, so if Cousins plays every remaining game he will appear in 18 regular-season games, ProFootball Talk notes.

What is confirmed and what is not?

Confirmed by the Vikings: the trade, the 2027 third-round pick, and Cousins' 2026 stats.
Reported, not confirmed by a team: the contract and bonus figures and Mendoza starting Sunday.
Unknown: who starts for Minnesota against the Packers. Nothing we read says Cousins is named the starter, and Murray's hamstring is a separate question.

Our take

This is analysis, not reporting. A third-round pick is a modest price for a quarterback who is throwing for 20 touchdowns, and a defense this good makes a stopgap worth paying for. The risk is age and health, since Cousins is 38 and more than three years removed from the Achilles tear. For fantasy managers, the clearest winners are Jefferson and Addison, but we would wait to see who actually takes the snaps on Sunday before changing a lineup.