# Vikings acquire Kirk Cousins from Raiders who turn to Fernando Mendoza as their starting QB

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/vikings-acquire-kirk-cousins-from-raiders-who-turn-to-fernando-mendoza-as-their-starting-qb/
- Published: 2026-11-10T19:43:47+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-10T20:36:19+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/vikings-acquire-kirk-cousins-raiders-turn-fernando-mendoza-starting-qb
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Minnesota trades a third-round pick for Kirk Cousins.
- Cousins is expected to start for the Vikings immediately.
- Rookie Fernando Mendoza is set to start for Las Vegas.

## Summary

The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to acquire Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round draft pick, with Cousins expected to start immediately. The move gives Minnesota an experienced quarterback familiar with coach Kevin O’Connell’s offence, while the Raiders turn to rookie Fernando Mendoza.

Cousins played for Minnesota from 2018 to 2023 and has thrown 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season, though he had three interceptions against the 49ers last weekend. The Vikings have struggled to settle the position after Sam Darnold left, J.J. McCarthy’s injuries and uneven play, and Kyler Murray’s current hamstring injury. Mendoza, the 2026 draft’s first overall pick, could make his regular-season debut against Seattle.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.