Kirk Cousins returns to Vikings; Raiders hand starting job to Fernando Mendoza
Kirk Cousins was traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Minnesota Vikings at the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, with Minnesota sending a third-round pick in the 2027 draft to Las Vegas. The move reunites Cousins with the franchise he played for from 2018 to 2023 and provides the Vikings with a veteran option at quarterback.
Minnesota opened the season 6-0 behind a standout defense but had lost its last two games before the trade. Kyler Murray, a former No 1 overall pick, had been the starter but missed Monday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills through injury; his replacement, Carson Wentz, threw two interceptions. After that game, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said: “We’ve had dialogue about a lot of different positions,” O’Connell said. “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 spent six seasons with Minnesota from 2018 to 2023 and played two seasons under O’Connell; he made the Pro Bowl in 2022, throwing for 4,547 yards with 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions that year. That 2022 campaign also saw Justin Jefferson lead the league with 128 catches and 1,809 receiving yards while playing with Cousins. At 38, Cousins is not portrayed in reports as a long-term solution at quarterback for the Vikings.
For Las Vegas, the trade clears a path for their No 1 overall draft pick, Fernando Mendoza, to assume the starting quarterback role. The Raiders, who sit at 4-5, will hand Mendoza his first NFL start following the deal.
Mendoza’s first two scheduled NFL starts are set to come against Seattle and Denver, matches described in reporting as challenging early tests for the rookie. The timing places the rookie into a demanding stretch immediately after the trade deadline.
Other moves reported around the trade deadline included the San Francisco 49ers acquiring veteran receiver Keenan Allen from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick; the 49ers are 7-1 this season and have suffered injuries to their receiving corps. Indianapolis also sent wide receiver Josh Downs and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in return for fourth- and fifth-round selections; Downs had 2,494 yards and 12 touchdowns in three-and-a-half seasons with the Colts.
The Buffalo Bills are reported to be addressing a struggling secondary by acquiring Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker, with the Titans receiving a second- and a fifth-round pick in exchange. Hooker, 28, had a career-best five interceptions last season and was drafted in 2019.