The Minnesota Vikings got the quarterback news they needed on Friday afternoon.
After acquiring Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday, the team confirmed he’ll be under center in Week 10 against the Green Bay Packers. That gives Minnesota a much-needed answer after a stretch that had raised real concern about the direction of the season.
“Head Coach Kevin O'Connell has announced that QB Kirk Cousins will start Sunday at Green Bay,” the Vikings announced Friday.
That decision matters because the Vikings were staring at a rough situation if Cousins wasn’t ready. Carson Wentz and Kyler Murray had both left plenty to be desired, and with Murray hurt and Wentz struggling in Week 9, Minnesota couldn’t afford another shaky outing at quarterback.
There was also a legitimate question about whether Cousins would be able to go so soon after arriving. He had just joined the team and would have had to pick up the offense in a very short window. But the Vikings saw enough from him in practice this week to hand him the job right away.
Now the focus shifts to Sunday’s matchup with the Packers, where Minnesota will try to stay in step with a very competitive NFC North. The Vikings enter the game at 6-2, and Cousins will be tasked with helping keep that momentum going.
The passing game will need to adjust, too, because T.J. Hockenson is out. That puts more on Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson, and against a susceptible Packers secondary, the wideout duo could be in line for a big day.
For now, the Vikings have their answer. Cousins is starting in Week 10, and Minnesota will see quickly whether the move pays off against a divisional opponent.
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