Kirk Cousins Trade: Why the Vikings Brought Him Back
Kirk Cousins is going back to Minnesota. The Vikings acquired the 38-year-old quarterback from the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2027 third-round draft pick on Tuesday 10 November 2026, hours before the NFL’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline. The Raiders said the deal was pending a physical. It reunites Cousins with head coach Kevin O’Connell and hands the Raiders’ starting job to rookie Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft.
The move was the headline act on a busy deadline day. Here is why Minnesota made the trade, what it means for both teams and the other deals that could shape the playoff race.
Why Did the Vikings Trade for Kirk Cousins?
Because their offence had stalled. NFL.com noted that Minnesota has the league’s top scoring defence, but its offence ranks 27th in points, 31st in yards and 31st in passing. The Vikings have scored 16 points or fewer in five of their eight games, including the last three. That run included Monday night’s 23-6 loss to Buffalo, which we covered in our Bills vs Vikings report.
Neither Kyler Murray nor Carson Wentz fixed the problem. J.J. McCarthy, drafted in 2024 to replace Cousins, was traded to the New York Giants on 28 September. So Cousins, as NFL.com put it, “returns to replace his replacement”.
How Well Has Cousins Played in 2026?
Better than many expected. In nine starts for Las Vegas he completed 202 of 315 passes (64.1%) for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions, with a 97.1 passer rating, according to the Raiders’ official announcement. He also ran for two touchdowns and led the Raiders to a 4-5 record, keeping them on the edge of the playoff picture.
Cousins played for Minnesota from 2018 to 2023. His first season under O’Connell, in 2022, was one of his best: 4,547 yards, 29 touchdowns and a 13-4 record. Over 15 seasons he has thrown for 47,040 yards and 318 touchdowns.
What Does the Trade Mean for the Raiders and Fernando Mendoza?
The Mendoza era starts now. The Heisman Trophy winner and national champion from Indiana has made one brief appearance this season, completing six of eight passes for 48 yards in a blowout loss to New England. General manager John Spytek said he had not been shopping Cousins and only took calls after Minnesota reached out on Tuesday morning. “This was a hard decision,” Spytek said, “but we felt like we made the best decision for the Raiders going forward.” Head coach Klint Kubiak said: “I anticipate it being a transition. We’re going to find out together.”
Mendoza’s first start is on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, a team with a stingy defence.
When Will Cousins Play for the Vikings Again?
If he is ready for Week 10, his first game back will be against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, the same opponent he faced in his last game as a Viking in 2023. The Vikings have not confirmed a starter for Sunday. Check the Vikings’ official site for the latest depth chart.
What Were the Other Big NFL Trade Deadline Deals?
The Guardian counted 18 in-season trades by the time the deadline passed. Some of the most significant were:
- Keenan Allen to the 49ers: the Colts sent the veteran receiver to San Francisco for a 2027 sixth-round pick.
- Josh Downs to the Chiefs: Kansas City added the Colts receiver for 2027 fourth- and fifth-round picks. Indianapolis kept running back Jonathan Taylor.
- Daiyan Henley to the Broncos: the AFC West-leading Broncos (7-2) added the linebacker from the Chargers.
- Amani Hooker to the Bills: Buffalo strengthened its secondary with the Titans safety for a 2027 second-round pick.
- Jordan Davis to the Jaguars: Jacksonville paid a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-rounder for the Eagles defensive tackle, one of several Jaguars moves.
What Happens Now the Deadline Has Passed?
Teams can no longer make trades until the new league year begins on 11 March 2027, although deals can be agreed in principle before then. From now until the end of the season, any player released must pass through waivers, regardless of experience. Rosters are largely set for the run-in, and the league’s official NFL trade tracker lists every move.
Featured image: Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook playing for the Vikings in November 2022, by All-Pro Reels / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0. File photo. Image licensed CC BY-SA 2.0.
- NFL.com — Vikings trade for Raiders QB Kirk Cousins on deadline day (10 November 2026).
- Las Vegas Raiders — Raiders acquire 2027 third-round draft pick in exchange for QB Kirk Cousins (10 November 2026).
- The Guardian — NFL trade deadline 2026: Vikings reunite with Kirk Cousins; Colts stick with Taylor; 49ers get WR Allen (10 November 2026).
- NFL.com — Colts trade WR Keenan Allen to 49ers for 2027 sixth-round pick (10 November 2026).
- AP News — Vikings bring back QB Kirk Cousins in a trade with the Raiders to lift a struggling offense (10 November 2026).
