The Las Vegas Raiders sent quarterback Kirk Cousins back to the Minnesota Vikings at Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, receiving a third-round pick in the 2027 draft in return. The move clears the path for 2026 No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza to make his first career start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Through nine games with the Raiders, Cousins threw for 2,340 yards and 20 touchdowns, ranking among the league's top five in passing yards and second only to Joe Burrow in touchdown passes. His contract, originally reported as a five-year, $172 million deal, effectively functioned as a one-year agreement with $11.3 million guaranteed and club options the Raiders transferred to Minnesota.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski praised the trade on the Kay Adams Show, calling it "one of the best usages of a quarterback in NFL history" and crediting General Manager John Spytek for signing Cousins to a cheap deal, maximizing his value, and flipping him for a draft pick. Gronkowski said the deal caught him by surprise but "totally makes sense all across the board."
Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur, whose team faces the Vikings this weekend, said he was "shocked" by the return Las Vegas received. "I was surprised they didn't get more for him, quite honestly," LaFleur said, adding he expects Cousins to start immediately given his familiarity with Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell and the offensive system.
Former Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, now with the New York Giants, said he was unaware of the trade but wished Cousins well. "Kirk Cousins is going back? I wish him nothing but the best of luck. I know he's loved in that building, so he'll be a great fit," McCarthy said. The Raiders will move forward with Mendoza and Aidan O'Connell at quarterback.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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