Vikings Trade 2027 Pick for Cousins

The Minnesota Vikings scored just 11 offensive touchdowns this season before trading for Kirk Cousins on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

That total ties the team with the Los Angeles Chargers for the fewest in the NFL. To fix the issue, the Vikings sent their 2027 third-round draft pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for the 38-year-old quarterback.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell and the front office view the move as a final attempt to save the season. The previous solutions, offseason addition Kyler Murray and veteran backup Carson Wentz, had struggled in key metrics.

Cousins was performing well in Las Vegas prior to the trade. He had thrown 20 passing touchdowns and just eight interceptions for the Raiders. The team finished the previous period with a 4-5 record under his leadership.

The Vikings hope for a familiar connection. Cousins played for Minnesota from 2018 to 2023, earning three Pro Bowl selections during that span. His 2022 campaign included eight game-winning drives, a league-leading figure.

Analysts note that Cousins' mobility has improved in Las Vegas. His negative play rate and sack percentage are both on pace for career bests despite an Achilles tear suffered in 2023.

The Raiders received an A grade for the transaction according to the source analysis. They had planned for a transitional year and relied heavily on tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer due to an inexperienced wide receiver corps.

With Cousins gone, the spotlight shifts to Fernando Mendoza. The rookie will face his first start against the Seattle Seahawks' defense. The Raiders retain the third-round pick to aid their rebuild and allow young talent to step into the starting lineup.

The Vikings retain the Eagles' third-round pick from the Jonathan Greenard trade, providing additional flexibility for next year. The offense still faces challenges with an inconsistent line and a low-ranked running game.

The trade is graded a B- for Minnesota. It improves the team's immediate prospects without guaranteeing a Super Bowl run. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson is expected to benefit from a quarterback who understands his routes and timing.