Vikings trade for Raiders QB Cousins - ESPN

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings have reacquired quarterback Kirk Cousins in a trade with the Raiders, sending a 2027 third-round pick to Las Vegas.

With the trade, 2026 No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza is now poised to take over as the Raiders' starting quarterback, beginning this week in a home contest against the Seattle Seahawks. Aidan O'Connell will be Mendoza's backup.

Unless the Vikings work out a change to Cousins' contract, they will owe him the remainder of his $1.3 million base salary this season and then a $10 million roster bonus this spring.

Kirk Cousins' return to Minnesota should be good news for Justin Jefferson. Cousins and Jefferson connected for 5,348 yards from 2020-23 as teammates with the Vikings, the second-most by any QB-pass catcher duo over that span.

The Vikings have lost consecutive games after a 6-0 start, with their offense managing only 19 points over that stretch. Their defense and special teams rank among the NFL's best, however, and team decision-makers were determined to optimize their chances at a playoff run.

Cousins played for the Vikings from 2018 to '23, and the Vikings have been unable to find a permanent replacement since his departure to the Atlanta Falcons via free agency in the spring of 2024. The deal comes less than 24 hours after veteran Carson Wentz turned in the worst performance by a Vikings quarterback since 2006, compiling a 2.3 QBR while completing 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards while committing three turnovers.

Wentz was playing for presumed starter Kyler Murray, who missed Monday night's game because of a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Murray, who signed a one-year contract with the Vikings this spring, has struggled in his own right and ranks No. 27 in QBR (45.7).

Cousins, 38,