Vikings want Kirk Cousins for 2027 after trade from Raiders
The Vikings traded a third-round pick to the Raiders for Kirk Cousins and want him to stay in 2027. He returns with 20 touchdown passes, without Jordan Addison.
Livefeed News DeskUpdated · 2 min read
Quick answer
The Minnesota Vikings traded a third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for Kirk Cousins and have already told his agent they want him back for 2027, sources told NFL Network. Cousins, who has 20 touchdown passes this season, is the first quarterback with 20 to change teams midseason.
Key facts
- Minnesota sent its own third-round pick, projected No. 90 in 2027, to Las Vegas for Cousins.
- The Vikings called agent Mike McCartney before completing the trade to say they want more than a one-year rental.
- Cousins is the first quarterback with 20 touchdown passes to change teams during a season.
- Receiver Jordan Addison will miss Sunday's game with a thumb injury.
- Cousins can play in up to 18 games this season because of the placement of byes.
Why the Vikings want Cousins beyond this season
The Vikings are already planning past 2026 with Kirk Cousins. Before completing the trade with the Raiders on Tuesday, team officials called his long-time agent, Mike McCartney, with a short message: they want Cousins' return to Minnesota to be more than a one-year rental, sources told NFL Network. Cousins is due to become a free agent after the season.
General manager Nolan Teasley framed the deal around better quarterback play in 2026. A longer stay would give him and coach Kevin O'Connell more time to find a franchise quarterback.
What Minnesota gave up
The Vikings sent a third-round pick to Las Vegas. It was their own third-rounder, projected at No. 90 in 2027, and they kept another third-round pick projected at No. 70.
Cousins' numbers this season
Cousins arrives after nine games with the Raiders, fifth in the league in passing yards and second with 20 touchdown passes. Minnesota's offence had thrown 11 touchdown passes all season. NBC Sports research found he is the first quarterback with 20 touchdown passes to change teams during a season, and the placement of byes means he can play in up to 18 games.
He already knows O'Connell's offence and has chemistry with Justin Jefferson. In six years with Minnesota he ranked fourth in the league in both passing yards (23,265) and touchdown passes (171).
Return to the ground where he tore his Achilles
Cousins' first game back with the Vikings is at the same venue as his last one: in Week 8 of the 2023 season, he tore an Achilles tendon there after throwing for 274 yards and two touchdowns.
He will be without receiver Jordan Addison, who misses Sunday's game with a thumb injury. In Cousins' last full game with the Vikings, a Monday night game against the 49ers played without Jefferson, he found Addison seven times for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Jefferson is available this time, and the Vikings are trying to end a two-game losing streak.
The sources available to us do not include the broadcast channel or kick-off time for Sunday's game.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Vikings give up for Kirk Cousins?
Minnesota sent its own third-round pick, projected at No. 90 in 2027, to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Will Kirk Cousins stay with the Vikings in 2027?
It is not settled. The Vikings told his agent they want more than a one-year rental, sources told NFL Network, but Cousins is set to be a free agent after the season.
How many touchdown passes does Kirk Cousins have this season?
He has 20, second in the league, which makes him the first quarterback with 20 touchdown passes to change teams midseason.
Is Jordan Addison playing on Sunday?
No. Addison will miss Sunday's game with a thumb injury.
