The 2026 NFL trade deadline lived up to the expectations. Not every player on the block was traded, but the deadline still included a few surprising moves. Perhaps the biggest move of the day was Minnesota reuniting with Kirk Cousins. New details have emerged about the last-second negotiations between the Vikings and raiders.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero published a longform on the Cousins trade, including an inside look at the negotiations themselves.
The trade discussions happened quickly following Minnesota's loss on Monday Night Football against Buffalo. Neither side wasted much time in getting a deal done.
“Trade talks escalated quickly Tuesday morning. The Vikings initially offered a 2027 fifth-round pick that could become a third-rounder based on team performance; the Raiders wanted a straight third-rounder,” Pelissero wrote. “The deal ended up being for the Vikings’ original 2027 third-rounder, not the Eagles’ third-round pick (acquired in the Jonathan Greenard trade earlier this year) that will almost surely be higher.”
Pelissero explained just how beneficial this trade was for both teams.
For the Raiders, they already have rookie Fernando Mendoza locked and loaded as their next quarterback. Mendoza gained some valuable experienced sitting behind Cousins for several weeks. He may not be fully ready to become a franchise guy, but his presence does make Cousins expendable.
As for the Vikings, Cousins is an ideal fit given his past experience with the franchise.
“Cousins always made the most sense for Minnesota. He knows the scheme,” Pelissero added. “He’s played with some of the Vikings’ key players, most importantly star receiver Justin Jefferson, whose frustration with the flagging offense had become evident.”
Jefferson has to be thrilled that Cousins is back. After all, Jefferson's best years came with Cousins under center.
Suddenly both Minnesota and Las Vegas should be a lot more exciting to watch in Week 10.