Vikings Trade for Kirk Cousins
Minnesota sends a 2027 third-round pick to the Raiders to reacquire the former quarterback after a 23-6 loss to the Bills.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Football
The Minnesota Vikings traded a 2027 third-round pick to the Raiders in exchange for quarterback Kirk Cousins, who previously played for Minnesota from 2018 to 2023. The move follows a 23-6 Vikings loss to the Bills on Monday night, after which Carson Wentz became the starter.
Why it matters
The trade brings back a quarterback who went 50-37-1 with the Vikings and ranks among the league leaders in passing this season, at a time when the offense is struggling. It signals Minnesota's effort to change its fortunes at quarterback mid-season.
Cousins ranks fifth in the league with 2,340 passing yards and second with 23 passing touchdowns in 2026, while Wentz managed 81 passing yards on 8 of 25 attempts against Buffalo. The source does not report contract details or the cost of the deal beyond the draft pick.
The players
Kirk Cousins
A veteran quarterback who previously spent six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and led the team to a 50-37-1 record.
Carson Wentz
A former first-overall-pick quarterback who started for the Vikings after the Bills loss.
The details
The Vikings sent a 2027 third-round pick to the Raiders for Cousins, a move reported by multiple outlets. Minnesota's offense gained 178 total yards in its loss to the Bills, and Wentz threw two interceptions in his first start of the night.
Timeline
2018-2023: Kirk Cousins plays for the Vikings.
2023: Cousins tears his Achilles in Green Bay.
Monday night: Vikings lose 23-6 to the Bills and Wentz takes over at quarterback.
Next week: Vikings play at Green Bay.
Season Trajectory
The trade reunites the Vikings with the quarterback who led them to a 50-37-1 record from 2018 to 2023, a period that set the benchmark for the franchise's recent quarterback play. It arrives as Minnesota looks to reshape a season that has seen its offense struggle to move the ball.
Fantasy managers will want to track whether Cousins starts next week at Green Bay, since his 2,340 passing yards and 23 touchdowns make him a notable option. Wentz's line of 8 of 25 for 81 yards with two interceptions makes the Vikings' passing game an open question until a starter is set.
The takeaway
Quarterback changes mid-season are rarely quick fixes, and the Vikings' next game at Green Bay will show whether a reunion with Cousins changes the offense's direction.
What happens next
The Vikings play at Green Bay next week, the first game in which the trade's impact on the lineup can be measured.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see Minneapolis Football coverage.
