Sports
Kirk Cousins Heads Home to Minnesota as Raiders Hand the Keys to Rookie Mendoza
The Vikings reacquired their former starter at the trade deadline, and Las Vegas will start its No. 1 pick this weekend.
By ANDRE COLEMANStaff Correspondent · NEVADA · Nov 10, 11:25 PM · 1 min. read
Illustration · Liberty Bell Report
Kirk Cousins is going back to Minnesota.
The Vikings acquired the veteran quarterback from the Las Vegas Raiders at Tuesday's trade deadline, more than two years after letting him leave as a free agent, the Los Angeles Times reported. The Guardian reported Minnesota sent a 2027 draft pick for Cousins, who spent six seasons with the Vikings before.
The move clears the way in Las Vegas for rookie Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 pick, to make his first NFL start this weekend, The Guardian reported. Newsweek noted Mendoza's first two opponents are about as tough as it gets for a debut.
There is a twist for Vikings fans. Newsweek reported Cousins could make his return at Lambeau Field against the Packers, the site of his final game with Minnesota in 2023. It also reported the Chargers rejected a Vikings inquiry about Justin Herbert before Minnesota turned to Cousins.
A veteran who knows the building, the playbook and the fan base is a smart bet for a team chasing the playoffs. Now Cousins has to prove he still has it.
Sources
- Los Angeles Times: Kirk Cousins is returning to Vikings after trade deadline deal with Raiders (link)
- The Guardian: NFL trade deadline: Kirk Cousins returns to Vikings as Raiders hand starting job to Fernando Mendoza (link)
- Newsweek: Vikings’ Kirk Cousins Trade Comes With Intriguing Packers Twist (link)
- Newsweek: Fernando Mendoza Gets Bad News Immediately After Raiders’ Kirk Cousins Trade (link)
- Newsweek: Chargers Rejected Vikings’ Justin Herbert Inquiry Before Kirk Cousins Deal (link)
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