Kirk Cousins is going home. The Minnesota Vikings reacquired their former quarterback from the Las Vegas Raiders at the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, sending a 2027 third-round draft pick to Las Vegas. The deadline passed at 4 p.m. ET.
The move came less than a day after Minnesota’s 23-6 Monday Night Football loss to Buffalo, in which starter Carson Wentz went 8 of 25 for 81 yards and two interceptions before being benched. The Vikings, now 6-2, have lost two straight after a 6-0 start — and the front office decided not to wait.
A reunion six seasons in the making
Cousins returns to the team he quarterbacked for six seasons, from 2018 to 2023, before leaving in free agency. The deal was ranked the biggest of deadline day by Yardbarker, and it gives Minnesota a proven starter with deep knowledge of the franchise as it tries to steady a season that suddenly looks wobbly.
Five deals were completed on deadline day, and 18 in-season trades in total have now been made this year, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter via Yardbarker — the third straight year the league has matched or passed 18.
Deadline day’s other moves
The other deadline-day deals saw wide receiver Josh Downs move from the Colts to the Chiefs, with Indianapolis receiving 2027 fourth- and fifth-round picks and Kansas City also getting a 2027 seventh-rounder. Safety Amani Hooker went from the Titans to the Bills, with Tennessee receiving a 2027 second-rounder and Buffalo also getting a 2027 fifth-rounder. Wide receiver Keenan Allen moved from the Colts to the 49ers for a 2027 sixth-rounder, linebacker Daiyan Henley went from the Chargers to the Broncos for 2027 fourth-round and 2028 fifth-round picks, and centre Ryan Neuzil moved from the Falcons to the Ravens for guard Andrew Vorhees and a 2028 sixth-rounder.
There was drama too: the Bengals agreed a deal for Eagles edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie, then backed out after realising it would cost them a 2027 third-round compensatory pick.
The deadline capped a frantic two days. On Monday, 9 November, the Jaguars made three big defensive moves — defensive tackle Jordan Davis from the Eagles for 2027 first-round and 2029 second-round picks, safety Jessie Bates III from the Falcons and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux from the Saints — while the Lions added safety Andre Cisco from the Jets.
Minnesota’s season turned on Monday night, when the Bills beat the Vikings 23-6 in the Monday Night Football clash — the defeat that set the Cousins reunion in motion. Around the league, the weekend’s other big result saw the Packers rout the Patriots 45-27 behind Jordan Love’s 372 yards.
Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.