Vikings Trade For Kirk Cousins Again

Carson Wentz posted a passer rating of 8.9 on Monday night, the lowest mark for any quarterback with at least 10 attempts in a single game since December 2023. The struggling performance ended a 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills and prompted the Minnesota Vikings to act before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline.

According to two people with knowledge of the deal, the Vikings reacquired Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders. In exchange, Minnesota will send a third-round pick from the 2027 draft to Las Vegas. The sources told The Associated Press the move had not yet been officially announced by either club.

The Vikings hold an extra third-round selection acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in April. They received that pick in a swap for edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. Because the Eagles are currently 2-7 while the Vikings are 6-2, the pick being sent to the Raiders is likely lower in the draft order than the one owed to Philadelphia.

Cousins previously played a key role for Minnesota, helping the team win 13 games in 2022 during head coach Kevin O’Connell’s first season. He tore his Achilles tendon in Week 8 of the 2023 season during a game at Green Bay. The Vikings face the rival Packers at Lambeau Field this Sunday.

The Raiders created an opening for Cousins by releasing space for rookie Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza was the first overall pick in this year's draft. The move allows the Vikings to keep their season on track despite their recent passing struggles.

Wentz was 8 for 25 for 81 yards, with two interceptions and a lost fumble in Monday's game. The fumble resulted from a badly overthrown swing pass to Justin Jefferson that went backward. Wentz also played with a hobbling ankle. Backup Max Brosmer took over midway through the fourth quarter.

The Vikings' offense has been inconsistent since Sam Darnold struggled in the final two games of the 2024 season. The team relies on a dominant defense to stay competitive while it works out its issues at the quarterback position.