The Vikings’ quarterback pursuit came together fast, but the groundwork was already there.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Minnesota checked with the Raiders on Kirk Cousins last week, though it didn’t really feel like he might be available until Sunday. From there, the deal moved quickly, with the trade essentially taking shape on Tuesday after Minnesota’s Monday night debacle.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that the Vikings believed Carson Wentz had put together an exceptional week of practice leading into the Bills game and expected him to play well. Even so, the team had already done its homework on quarterbacks in case it needed to pivot after Kyler Murray’s hamstring injury. Cousins had been identified as Minnesota’s top target if a move became necessary, and the Vikings reached out to the Raiders on Monday.
Raiders general manager John Spytek made it clear to Vikings GM Nolan Teasley that he wasn’t looking to deal his starting quarterback unless Minnesota came strong. “You’ll have to make us an offer that moves us.”
After the game, Minnesota opened with a conditional fifth-round pick that could turn into a third, Breer said. The Raiders wanted a straight third-rounder, but they were willing to take Minnesota’s pick instead of Philadelphia’s, and they also agreed to absorb Cousins’ $10 million roster bonus that was set to come due next year.
Elsewhere, the Commanders drew multiple trade calls for cornerback Mike Sainristil, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said they weren’t interested in moving him unless the return was a quality pick.
Fowler also reported that the Cowboys didn’t receive any trade calls for wide receiver George Pickens. Pickens, he added, is happy in Dallas and wasn’t looking to be moved.
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Raiders Youth Movement Is Testing One Spot They Can't Afford To Lose
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Even with the growing pains that come with that approach, the coaching staff appears willing to live with some uneven moments if it means the development keeps moving forward. The biggest test is in the defensive backfield, where the Raiders are trying to sort out a group that has shown promise but still has to prove it can hold up when the games get tighter and the margin for error shrinks. [Read more 🡒]