Vikings 'hyped' to welcome back 'leader' Cousins on 1st day of practice - ESPN

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings reveled Thursday in quarterback Kirk Cousins' first full day back with the organization.

Their operations staff opened practice by playing Creed's «Higher» on the team's outdoor speakers, drawing knowing smirks from the handful of players and coaches who remember it as Cousins' anthem during the 2023 season.

«It got me hyped,» right tackle Brian O'Neill said. «It felt like it raised the temperature outside a few degrees.»

Rookie safety Jakobe Thomas gave up his No. 8 free of charge, saying afterward that «I just want him to come help us win games.»

And receiver Justin Jefferson described the day as «a joy to hear him just take over and be a leader in the meeting room, on the field.»

The Vikings acquired Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders hours before Tuesday's trade deadline, in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick. He spent Wednesday meeting with coach Kevin O'Connell and other members of the staff, but O'Connell did not hold a practice so that players could have an additional recovery day following their 23-6 loss Monday night to the Buffalo Bills.

In replacing former starter Kyler Murray, the Vikings are hoping to elevate their passing offense and reverse a two-game losing streak. If that is going to happen, it will be through Cousins' connection with Jefferson. During their last full season together in 2022, Jefferson earned the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year award with career highs in catches (128) and yards (1,809).

Upon hearing about the trade Tuesday, Jefferson said his immediate reaction was to flash back to the volume of their previous connection. But Jefferson insisted Thursday that he has not let himself envision any specifics for their reunion. Through Week 9,