The Minnesota Vikings will have Kirk Cousins back under center, setting up a reunion against a familiar rival. His first game back could come against the Green Bay Packers. Coincidentally, Green Bay also faced him in his final appearance with Minnesota in 2023.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Vikings acquired Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders before the trade deadline. Minnesota sent a 2027 third-round pick in exchange for the veteran quarterback. Cousins' final game in purple ended with a painful injury despite his strong performance. He threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 8 win over Green Bay. However, he tore his Achilles in the fourth quarter. Head coach Kevin O'Connell expressed the team's heartbreak afterward. “Me personally, our whole team, our whole organization, we're all hurting this morning for Kirk,” O'Connell said, per Grant Gordon of NFL.com.

The injury ended Cousins' 2023 season and his first chapter in Minnesota. He entered free agency the following offseason and signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons. After two seasons in Atlanta, he joined the Raiders and delivered a strong 2026 campaign.

Cousins could also reconnect with several familiar faces from his previous stint. That includes star wide receiver Justin Jefferson and tight end T.J. Hockenson, who were key targets during his time in Minnesota. He will also work again with O'Connell, who coached him during his final two seasons with the Vikings.

Kirk Cousins completed 64.1% of his passes for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions in nine starts with Las Vegas. His return gives Minnesota an experienced quarterback as it pursues the NFC North title. Facing Green Bay again makes the comeback even more meaningful.