The Minnesota Vikings explored several quarterback options ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline at 4 p.m. They ultimately acquired Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders, sending a 2027 third-round pick in return.
Cousins is familiar with head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense and has played well this season. Through nine games, he had a 97.1 passer rating, 2,340 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Former Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter shared his thoughts on the team’s decision to bring Cousins back for a second stint in Minnesota.
“First of all, it was forced,” Carter said during a Nov. 13 appearance on CBS News Minnesota. He pointed to the crowd’s reaction during the Vikings’ Nov. 9 game against the Buffalo Bills, saying that boos directed at the home team—particularly the quarterback play—helped prompt the move.
“I know the Vikings were on the phone Monday night, and this was ultimately the only move they could make. He’s the perfect fit for us moving forward. He’s really the only quarterback with whom we could have Super Bowl aspirations and make a clean transition because he knows the offense.”
## Vikings Still Need a Long-Term Quarterback
Cousins could bring greater consistency to the Vikings’ quarterback position, but at 38, he represents a short-term solution. Carter said the team will eventually need to find a long-term starter after cycling through quarterbacks over the past three seasons.
“For several seasons, it feels like, ultimately, we have to solve the quarterback riddle,” Carter said. He noted that the Vikings’ NFC North rivals have established quarterbacks and said Minnesota needs an answer for the coming years, particularly to support Justin Jefferson during his prime.
## Cousins’ Return to the Vikings Offense
ESPN NFL senior reporter Jeremy Fowler also described Cousins’ adjustment to Minnesota’s offense ahead of the Week 10 game against the Green Bay Packers. Cousins had been away from the team for three years.
“It was as smooth as can be,” Fowler said during a Nov. 14 appearance on *SportsCenter*. He noted that Cousins was already familiar with several players on the offensive line. According to Fowler, Cousins first worked with center Blake Brandel on their snaps and cadence for under-center play-action plays. The team also felt Cousins was throwing the ball well.
Although O’Connell has added some elements to the offense since Cousins’ previous stint in Minnesota, Fowler said most of the system remains intact. The Vikings viewed the transition as going as well as possible, given that Cousins arrived on Wednesday, had three days to prepare, and was set to start.
