Vikings acquire Kirk Cousins from Raiders before trade deadline

The Minnesota Vikings finalized a trade for veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on Tuesday, acquiring him from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft pick.

According to ESPN reporters Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, the Vikings had initially contacted the Raiders the previous week to gauge Cousins' availability, but did not receive a clear indication that the player could be moved until the trade deadline approached. Graziano noted that the deal only materialized because the deadline left the Vikings with limited options.

The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Vikings had been evaluating quarterback options after injuries to quarterback J.J. Murray and poor performances by quarterback Sam Wentz heightened the urgency. Pelissero added that Cousins expressed a desire to return to Minnesota, telling Raiders general manager John Spytek he wanted to rejoin a team positioned for a playoff push.

Cousins, 38, posted 2,340 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and a 64.1% completion rate in nine starts for the Raiders this season. Minnesota’s quarterbacks have combined for 1,286 yards, eight touchdowns and a 60.9% completion rate over the same period.

The trade gives the Vikings a quarterback familiar with head coach Kevin O'Connell’s offensive system, which the team hopes will improve its offensive production as it seeks to complement a strong defensive performance that has helped the club achieve a 6-2 record.