NFL · TRADE

KIRK COUSINS IS A VIKING AGAIN

8 things to know about the deadline deal that sent him back to Minnesota.

THE PRICE

ONE 2027 THIRD-ROUND PICK

The Raiders sent Cousins to Minnesota on Nov. 10, deadline day, for the Vikings’ 2027 third-rounder.

THE SURPRISE

LAS VEGAS WASN’T SHOPPING HIM

Raiders GM John Spytek said he made no calls to shop Cousins before the Vikings reached out Tuesday morning.

WHY MINNESOTA MOVED

6-0, THEN TWO STRAIGHT LOSSES

The Vikings got uneven play from Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz. Murray is also dealing with a hamstring injury.

THE CAROUSEL

NINE STARTERS SINCE 2023

Since Cousins tore his Achilles in 2023, Kevin O’Connell has made 14 in-season QB changes, per the AP.

STILL PRODUCING

20 TD PASSES THIS SEASON

That was the second-most in the NFL when the trade went down, according to ESPN.

THE MONEY

A $10 MILLION BONUS IN SPRING

Unless the deal is reworked, Minnesota owes the rest of his $1.3 million base salary plus a $10 million roster bonus.

RAIDERS’ NEW ERA

FERNANDO MENDOZA TAKES OVER

The 2026 No. 1 pick starts Sunday at home against the Seattle Seahawks. Aidan O’Connell is the backup.

SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET

BACK TO LAMBEAU FIELD

Cousins is expected to start at Green Bay, where he tore his Achilles in 2023, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said. The 6-2 Vikings chase the 7-2 Bears.