Vikings target Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins in trade talks
Minnesota is reportedly considering a trade for Las Vegas quarterback Kirk Cousins as the NFL trade deadline approaches.
The Minnesota Vikings have identified Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins as a primary trade candidate ahead of the league's Tuesday 4 p.m. ET deadline, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Cousins has started all nine Raiders games this season, completing 64.1% of his passes for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Cousins previously spent two seasons (2022-23) with the Vikings under head coach Kevin O'Connell and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2022 after throwing for 4,547 yards, 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He left Minnesota as a free agent in 2024, signing a four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons, but was released after the 2025 season.
Minnesota's offense has struggled recently; the Vikings fell 23-6 to the Buffalo Bills on Monday, failing to score a touchdown for the third time this season. Quarterback Carson Wentz completed eight of 25 passes for 81 yards, threw two interceptions and posted a 2.3 QBR, the lowest by a Vikings quarterback since 2006.
"We've had dialogue about a lot of different positions," coach Kevin O'Connell said after the loss. "Tight turnaround, obviously, playing the Monday night game, and we'll get right to work on any potential moves that can be there. But really just focused on the game tonight, which was not good enough in any way, shape or form."
The Vikings also have Kyler Murray and Max Brosmer on the roster as they explore options at quarterback.