Vikings Buy Back Kirk Cousins to Fix Passing Game
Minneapolis sends a 2027 third-round pick to Las Vegas to reacquire the quarterback who helped the team win 13 games in 2022.
By Oliver Bennett ·
The Minnesota Vikings have secured a new starting quarterback after agreeing to reacquire Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders. The deal, confirmed by two sources familiar with the negotiations, involves the Vikings sending their 2027 third-round draft pick to Las Vegas. This move arrives just before the league trade deadline, aiming to stabilize a passing attack that has struggled in recent weeks.
The decision follows a poor performance by interim starter Carson Wentz. On Monday night, Wentz posted a career-low passer rating of 8.9 in a 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He completed 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards, threw two interceptions, and lost a fumble. The offense faltered further with an ankle injury to Wentz, forcing backup Max Brosmer to enter the game midway through the fourth quarter.
Cousins previously thrived in Minneapolis. He guided the Vikings to 13 wins in 2022, the first year under head coach Kevin O’Connell. His tenure was interrupted in 2023 when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon during a game against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8. The Vikings return to Lambeau Field on Sunday to face the Packers, a matchup that adds weight to the new acquisition.
The trade creates a roster opening in Las Vegas for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick in this year’s draft. For the Vikings, the cost is manageable. The third-round pick they are sending was originally acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in April in exchange for edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. With the Eagles currently at 2-7, the value of that pick may be lower than the one the Vikings still owe Philadelphia.
The Vikings remain 6-2 despite their recent offensive issues. The team has relied on a strong defense to maintain its position in the standings. The reintegration of Cousins provides a known option for the coaching staff as they look to improve their passing game before the postseason push.
Neither club has officially announced the trade. The two sources who spoke about the deal requested anonymity because the agreement had not yet been made public by the organizations. The Vikings will have the opportunity to evaluate Cousins immediately in their next game against Green Bay.
