Vikings Reunite With Kirk Cousins In Deadline Deal To Revive Struggling Offense

Vikings Bring Back Kirk Cousins In Trade With Raiders© Instagram

Kirk Cousins is coming back to Minnesota, less than a day after the Vikings' offense managed six points against Buffalo. The club acquired its former quarterback from Las Vegas on Tuesday, sending the Raiders a 2027 third-round draft pick before the NFL trade deadline. The deal is pending a physical. Cousins, 38, returns to Kevin O'Connell's offense after starting all nine games for the Raiders this season. Minnesota remains 6-2, but consecutive losses have exposed its passing problems. Injured starter Kyler Murray missed Monday's game, and replacement Carson Wentz struggled before Max Brosmer took over.

Buffalo Loss Brings Quarterback Problems Into Focus

Wentz completed eight of 25 passes for 81 yards, threw two interceptions and finished with an 8.9 passer rating in the 23-6 defeat. Minnesota failed to convert any of its eight third downs. The Vikings' defense spent more than 42 minutes on the field. Their offense had the ball for only 17:28, with both scoring drives ending in Will Reichard field goals. Murray's hamstring injury had already forced O'Connell to turn to Wentz. Monday offered little reassurance that Minnesota could keep relying on its depth while waiting for its starter to recover.

Cousins brings a different level of production from his stint in Las Vegas. He completed 64.1% of his passes for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions, posting a 97.1 passer rating.Those numbers came across nine starts for a Raiders team that went 4-5. Las Vegas has now handed the starting job to rookie Fernando Mendoza, the first overall selection in April's draft.

Cousins Returns To Familiar Coaches And Receivers

Cousins played for Minnesota from 2018 through 2023 before leaving for Atlanta in free agency. His final two Vikings seasons were under O'Connell, including the 13-win campaign in 2022. That familiarity matters with Green Bay next on the schedule. Minnesota visits Lambeau Field on Sunday, November 15, giving Cousins a short week to rejoin the building and prepare.

His previous Vikings appearance ended at that same stadium, where he tore his Achilles tendon in October 2023. He subsequently spent two seasons with Atlanta before joining the Raiders this spring.

Justin Jefferson is among the familiar faces awaiting him. The receiver led Minnesota with three catches for 58 yards Monday, accounting for much of its limited passing production. A starting decision for Green Bay was not established in the team's initial trade announcement.