The Minnesota Vikings have made their quarterback search clear ahead of the deadline, and the name at the center of it is a familiar one: Kirk Cousins.
That push comes after Monday Night Football laid bare how badly Minnesota needs steadier play under center. Carson Wentz started in the Vikings’ 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills and finished 8 of 25 for 81 yards, two interceptions and a 32% completion percentage.
The outing was rough enough that fans were left wondering whether Justin Jefferson was even thinking about leaving the team. After the game, Jefferson didn’t directly answer questions about the Vikings pursuing a quarterback before the deadline, but his comments suggested he wants something to change.
Minnesota has been weighing its options after uneven quarterback play from Carson Wentz and Kyler Murray during the team’s 6-2 start, and Cousins has emerged as the prime trade target. He is no stranger to the franchise, having played for the Vikings from 2018 to 2023 and earned three Pro Bowl selections during that stretch.
Cousins is currently with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he has served as a bridge starter while mentoring rookie first-round pick Fernando Mendoza. But the Raiders’ season has shifted after a 3-0 start, and they now sit at 4-5. If they can get something of value for Cousins, that would be a win.
A return to Minnesota would put Cousins behind what is described as the best defense in the NFL, and it would also give him his best shot at reaching the Super Bowl. If the move happens, Kyler Murray would likely slide into a secondary role sooner rather than later in Minnesota.
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Vikings Ugly Loss Just Put The Offense Under A Harsh Spotlight
The Vikings had been cruising through the first month of the season, but Sundays loss to Buffalo was a jarring reminder that the offense can still go sideways in a hurry. Carson Wentz never found a rhythm, finishing 8 of 25 for 81 yards with two interceptions before being replaced, and the entire unit looked out of sync in a game that dropped Minnesota to 6-2.
For a team that built its early momentum on winning in a variety of ways, the bigger concern now is whether this was just one bad afternoon or a sign of a deeper problem. The offensive approach came under real scrutiny, and if the struggles keep piling up, the pressure wont stop at the quarterback spot. It could eventually reach the coaching staff, too. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Pressure Is Mounting As OConnell Cant Ignore QB Problem
The Vikings are carrying more questions than answers after the loss to Buffalo, and Kevin OConnell did not sound like a coach eager to pretend otherwise. He acknowledged the teams poor performance and the strain that comes with trying to steer the offense through it, a candid tone that fit the mood around a group now facing real scrutiny as the trade deadline approaches.
What makes the situation more pointed is the quarterback conversation hanging over everything. OConnells comments left room for the idea that Minnesota could explore changes, even if the specifics remain unsettled, and the pressure is only growing as the team weighs whether standing pat is good enough. For a roster built to contend, the next move at the games most important position may end up defining how the rest of the season is judged. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Trade Deadline Pressure Just Spiked After Carson Wentz Struggled
The Vikings lopsided loss to Buffalo on Monday night did more than drop them to a frustrating Week 9 defeat. It also sharpened the conversation around the NFL trade deadline, with Minnesota coming out of a 23-6 home loss looking like a team that may need help in a hurry. Carson Wentz struggled throughout the night, and the offense never found much rhythm against the Bills.
Kevin OConnell was asked afterward about the deadline, but he pushed those decisions toward general manager Nolan Teasley as the clock keeps ticking. With the offense sputtering and the Vikings unable to keep pace, the front office now has to weigh whether this roster needs a move before the deadline passes. [Read more 🡒]