Kirk Cousins Returns to Minnesota Vikings From Las Vegas Raiders

Kirk Cousins returns to the Minnesota Vikings after a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday, rds.ca reported.

Cousins left the Vikings as a free agent in 2024, signing a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of 2024, causing a rift between Cousins and the organization; Cousins started 22 games for the Falcons before being released after the 2025 season. The once and future Vikings quarterback now makes this seismic move back to Minnesota.

The veteran quarterback comes back to the franchise where he spent six seasons from 2018 to 2023. In exchange, Las Vegas receives a third-round pick in the 2027 draft, according to multiple reports.

The trade clears the way for rookie Fernando Mendoza to take over as the starting quarterback in Las Vegas, foxnews.com reported. Fernando Mendoza was selected first overall in the 2026 draft and served as Cousins’ backup during the season.

Cousins completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions during his time with the Raiders. He started all nine games played by the Raiders this season. This year, Cousins had four games in which he threw three touchdown passes, but also had games like last weekend against the San Francisco 49ers where he threw three interceptions.

The Vikings made the move following a 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night where Carson Wentz threw two interceptions. Head coach Kevin O’Connell admitted the team needed to evaluate their options after falling to 6-2 on the season.

Wentz completed only eight of 25 passes for 81 yards while suffering two interceptions against Buffalo, in a game where the Vikings failed to score a touchdown for the third time this season. The Vikings also count Kyler Murray and Max Brosmer in their quarterback roster. The Vikings handed their starting job to J.J.

“We’ve had dialogue about a lot of different positions,” O’Connell said after the game. “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.”

Cousins played under O’Connell during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2022 with 4,547 passing yards and 29 touchdowns alongside 14 interceptions. In 2023, he started eight games before suffering a torn Achilles tendon against the Green Bay Packers.

Alongside the quarterback trade, Minnesota also announced the release of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who played against Buffalo but was not targeted during the match.