The Vikings are expected to be in the quarterback market before Tuesday’s 4 PM ET trade deadline, and Kirk Cousins is the name drawing the loudest buzz.
That makes sense on a few levels. Cousins already knows Kevin O’Connell’s offense, he spent time with the organization from 2018 to 2023, and he played three seasons under O’Connell in Minnesota. He also had four seasons alongside Justin Jefferson, and those years in Minnesota were among the best stretches of his NFL career.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter said this weekend there had been no “trade inquiries” on either Cousins or Maxx Crosby, and the Raiders have shown no interest in moving either player over the last few days. But after Monday night’s result for the Vikings, the expectation is that Minnesota will at least make the call on Tuesday.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said the Vikings are “definitely” going to explore their trade options at quarterback, while league insider Jordan Schultz reported that the belief around the league is Minnesota will try to add a quarterback before the deadline. Cousins and Daniel Jones are believed to be at the top of the Vikings’ list, with Cousins viewed by many as the cleaner fit.
League insider Charles Robinson went a step further Tuesday morning and predicted the deal would get done.
By the conclusion of Tuesday's #NFL trade deadline, Kirk Cousins will be a member of the Minnesota #Vikings once again. Calling it. #NFLBlueBook
- Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) November 10, 2026
From the Raiders’ side, there’s a simple reason not to dig in too hard: Cousins is not part of the long-term plan in Las Vegas. That’s why the club has little incentive to treat his situation the same way it handled Crosby’s.
The thinking here is that the Raiders were actually eager to move Crosby in the offseason, largely because his timeline doesn’t line up neatly with a rebuild. That stance may have shifted after the veteran pass rushers John Spytek brought in during the offseason fell short of expectations, but Cousins is a different case entirely.
His timeline and the Raiders’ timeline still don’t match.
That’s why Spytek should take the best offer available and keep it moving. There’s no need to wait around for a perfect return.
If a day 2 pick is there, great. If the deal ends up being a fourth- or fifth-rounder, that still works.
And with Fernando Mendoza waiting, there’s no reason to keep him on the sideline any longer. The first-overall pick can finish out the final eight games, learn on the fly, and take his rookie lumps.
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