Raiders trade Kirk Cousins to Vikings in blockbuster deal

The Las Vegas Raiders traded quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings for a third-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, less than an hour before the trade deadline. The move ends Cousins’ brief Raiders stint and gives Minnesota an experienced starter, while signalling that Las Vegas is turning to rookie Fernando Mendoza.

Cousins threw for 2,340 yards and 20 touchdowns, plus two rushing scores, in nine games for the Raiders. He previously spent six seasons with Minnesota, from 2018 to 2023, and is expected to replace Kyler Murray, whose season has been described as poor. The Raiders, after starting 3-0 and then losing five of six, are likely to start Mendoza against the defending champions, the Seattle Seahawks.