Back With Minnesota, Kirk Cousins Relishes Reunion With Kevin O’Connell
A familiar return to Minnesota
Cousins returned to Vikings headquarters on Wednesday, describing his comfort with the Twin Cities, the organization and O’Connell’s offense. He said the coach understands both his strengths and the areas where he needs support.
The Vikings sent a 2027 third-round draft pick to the Raiders to acquire Cousins. O’Connell said a Sunday start at Green Bay is the goal, but added that the team wants Cousins to feel good before making that decision.
Quarterback play drives the move
The Vikings have had uneven results at quarterback. Wentz completed 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards and had three turnovers against Buffalo, while Murray has completed 64.9% of his passes, his lowest rate since his 2019 rookie season with Arizona.
Murray has directed the offense to six touchdowns across five full games. Cousins, by comparison, has thrown 20 touchdown passes, second most in the league, and gained 2,340 passing yards, the league’s fifth-highest total.
Green Bay expects Cousins
Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he expects Green Bay to face Cousins and noted the quarterback’s knowledge of Minnesota’s system. LaFleur also praised Cousins’ intelligence and recent performance, and said he was surprised by the return the Raiders received in the trade.
Cousins’ last Vikings game was at Lambeau Field on Oct. 29, 2023, when he tore his Achilles tendon. His return now brings him back to the site of that injury for a potential first game with Minnesota since his departure.
How Cousins left and returned
Minnesota signed Cousins in 2018 and later gave him two contract extensions. The team considered another agreement in 2024, but its salary-cap limits and plan to draft a quarterback with a high pick shaped its approach.
Cousins instead joined Atlanta on a deal with $100 million guaranteed, drawn in part by the chance to live near his wife’s family. The Falcons later selected Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall, and after two seasons Cousins was released and signed with the Raiders, who had hired Klint Kubiak, his former Vikings quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.
Key points
- Cousins returned to Minnesota after nearly three years away.
- The Vikings traded a 2027 third-round pick to the Raiders for him.
- Coach Kevin O’Connell said a Sunday start is the target, pending Cousins’ readiness.
- Cousins ranks second in touchdown passes and fifth in passing yards.