Kirk Cousins is returning to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings are sending a third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders to reunite with the 38-year-old quarterback, Minnesota announced Tuesday. The selection is the Vikings' original third-rounder, while the franchise will keep the third-round pick it previously acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer.
The Cousins trade also signals the beginning of No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza taking the starting quarterback job in Las Vegas.
Cousins spent six seasons with Minnesota from 2018 to 2023, and the Vikings have been searching for his long-term replacement ever since. The team used Sam Darnold in 2024 but let him leave in free agency the following offseason. J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings' 2024 first-round pick, failed to impress after he took the reins in 2025, leading Minnesota to sign veteran Kyler Murray this offseason. The club then traded McCarthy to the Giants earlier this season.
Murray has won five of his six starts in Minnesota but has failed to be a true difference-maker, completing 64.9% of his passes for 1,022 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Murray, who missed a game earlier this year with a concussion, was sidelined for Monday night's 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills due to a hamstring injury. The Vikings' quarterback play was putrid in the prime-time defeat, as Carson Wentz completed only 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards and two interceptions.
Cousins enjoyed some of his best years with the Vikings. He completed a career-high 70.1% of his throws in his first season with the team, and his 35 touchdown passes in 2020 remain a personal best. During his time in Minnesota, Cousins made three Pro Bowls and compiled a 50-37-1 record with 171 touchdown passes to 55 interceptions.
Cousins tore his Achilles in the final game of his first stint with the Vikings, a Week 8 win over the Green Bay Packers during the 2023 season. His first contest back with Minnesota could also be against the Packers, as the NFC North rivals are scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Minnesota is 6-2 and trails the 7-2 Chicago Bears in a division with four teams above .500. The Detroit Lions are also 6-2, while the Packers are 6-3.
Cousins spent two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons after leaving the Vikings in the 2024 offseason. He went 12-10 in Atlanta with 28 touchdown passes to 21 picks before signing with the Raiders this offseason to be their starter until Mendoza was ready.
He posted a 4-5 record with the Raiders, completing 64.1% of his passes for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
