The Las Vegas Raiders have traded starting quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings ahead of Tuesday's 1 p.m. NFL trade deadline, receiving a 2027 third-round draft pick in return. The move clears the way for the beginning of the Fernando Mendoza era in Las Vegas, as the team's top draft pick will now take over under center.
The deal came together after the Vikings' quarterback struggles were on full display during Monday night's game, aligning with the Raiders' shifting calculus. Coach Klint Kubiak acknowledged the changing landscape after Sunday's loss to the 49ers, saying, "Every day, the calculus changes. You get new information about your team, and that goes into the decision-making moving forward."
Cousins, who previously spent six seasons in Minnesota, had played some of the best football of his career with the Raiders this season, passing for over 2,300 yards and 20 touchdowns in nine starts. However, the Raiders had been insistent on keeping him only as long as the team remained "in the hunt," and Sunday's loss highlighted how far the 4-5 team has to go to become a true contender.
The trade also provides significant financial relief for Las Vegas, freeing the team from the $10 million already guaranteed to Cousins for the 2027 season. The Review-Journal characterized the move as a "clear win" for the Raiders, who gained an offseason and nine games of mentorship for Mendoza from the veteran quarterback before acquiring additional draft capital.
As of late Tuesday morning, the Raiders had not officially confirmed the transaction. The trade also raises immediate questions about whether Mendoza or Aidan O'Connell will start at quarterback moving forward.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal, KTNV 13 Action News
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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