The Minnesota Vikings have reacquired quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders, the headline move of the 2026 NFL trade deadline. Minnesota sent a 2027 third-round draft pick to Las Vegas for the 38-year-old, who spent six seasons with the Vikings from 2018 to 2023. The deal was agreed shortly before the league's 4pm ET deadline on Tuesday, and it gives Minnesota a proven starter after its quarterback play collapsed on Monday night. ## Why Minnesota moved for Cousins now The Vikings acted after Carson Wentz struggled badly in a 23-6 defeat by the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. With Kyler Murray also dealing with a hamstring problem, Minnesota needed a reliable option under centre, and Cousins was the most experienced quarterback available. [NBC Sports](https://www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/football/news/nfl-trade-deadline-fantasy-fallout-vikings-land-kirk-cousins-josh-downs-heads-to-kansas-city) reported that the Vikings reunited with Cousins at the cost of a third-round pick. Cousins was playing some of the best football of his career the last time he wore purple. He ranked sixth among quarterbacks in EPA per play in 2023 before a torn Achilles ended his season, and at that point he was on pace for 4,953 passing yards and 38 touchdowns. He now rejoins an offence built around wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson, all of whom produced their best numbers with Cousins throwing them the ball. The financial side of the deal is modest for Minnesota. According to [Front Office Sports](https://frontofficesports.com/article/vikings-kirk-cousins-nfl-trade-deadline/), Cousins signed a five-year, $172 million contract with the Raiders in the off-season, but the deal was effectively a one-year commitment worth $20 million guaranteed. The Vikings will owe him $650,000, half of his $1.3 million base salary, for the final nine weeks of the regular season. ## A new era begins in Las Vegas The trade clears the way for Fernando Mendoza to take over as the Raiders' starting quarterback for the rest of the season. Mendoza was the top overall selection in this year's NFL Draft after winning the Heisman Trophy at Indiana, and the Raiders will now use the remaining games to judge their franchise quarterback. The Raiders also banked a third-round pick for a player they signed only months ago, a return that several analysts rated as good business for a rebuilding side. ## Jaguars go all-in on defence The Jacksonville Jaguars were the busiest buyers of deadline day, completing three trades in a bold attempt to turn a strong start into a deep play-off run. Jacksonville, 6-2 under head coach Liam Coen, added defensive tackle Jordan Davis from the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick. The Jaguars then landed safety Jessie Bates III from the Atlanta Falcons for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux from the New Orleans Saints for a conditional sixth-round pick. The five picks sent out underline how committed Jacksonville is to winning now. The Jaguars moved to cover season-ending injuries to defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton and safety Eric Murray, and they refused to weaken the other side of the ball: despite reported interest from Kansas City, they turned down every offer for wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and kept him. ## Deals and non-deals around the league The Kansas City Chiefs addressed their injury-hit receiving group by trading fourth- and fifth-round picks to the Indianapolis Colts for Josh Downs. The San Francisco 49ers added veteran Keenan Allen from the Colts as cover for their own banged-up receivers. The Colts, having traded away two wideouts, held firm elsewhere: they kept star running back Jonathan Taylor despite receiving an offer of a second-round pick plus another selection. In total, 18 trades were completed across the league's in-season trading period, with six of them going through on deadline day itself. The Cousins reunion and Jacksonville's spending spree were the two moves that defined it: one struggling contender reaching for a familiar answer, and one rising team betting heavily that its time is now. ## Frequently asked questions **What did the Vikings give up for Kirk Cousins?** Minnesota sent a 2027 third-round draft pick to the Las Vegas Raiders. **When did Kirk Cousins last play for Minnesota?** Cousins played for the Vikings from 2018 to 2023 before leaving, and he was the team's starter until a torn Achilles ended his 2023 season. **Who starts at quarterback for the Raiders now?** Rookie Fernando Mendoza, the top overall pick in this year's draft, is in line to take over as the starter in Las Vegas. **What did the Jaguars trade for?** Jacksonville added Jordan Davis, Jessie Bates III and Davon Godchaux, sending out five future draft picks in total.