Sources - Vikings first called on Kirk Cousins before MNF - ESPN

The first time the Vikings reached out to the Raiders about a potential trade for Kirk Cousins was midday Monday, hours before Minnesota played the Bills on «Monday Night Football,» league sources told ESPN and NFL Network.

During that call, the Vikings made it clear to the Raiders that they wanted to see how Monday night went first before having any further conversations about Cousins, but they would be in touch if needed.

Bright and early the next morning, hours after Minnesota's offensive meltdown, the Vikings called the Raiders before 6 a.m. PT and set the wheels in motion for a potential Cousins trade.

It was not a deal the Raiders wanted or were looking to make, especially when Minnesota's initial offer was a fifth-round draft pick, according to sources.

But once the Vikings upped their offer to a third-round pick, the Raiders had discussions about whether the trade made sense, and here's where they landed:

Not only would they be receiving a third-round pick, but they also would free up $10 million in cash for the 2027 season, as the bonus guarantee owed to Cousins would shift to Minnesota's responsibility. It was not a trade that the Raiders enjoyed making, but one they believed would be in the best interests of the organization.

The Raiders also believed 2026 No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza has looked, in the word of one source, «phenomenal» in practice. There never was going to be a right time to insert Mendoza into the starting lineup, but Minnesota made this as good a time as any.

Cousins will start Sunday against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, and Mendoza will make his first career start against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.

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