Although veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins has returned to the Minnesota Vikings via a major trade, outspoken media analyst Skip Bayless made it clear that he remains unimpressed with Cousins. He bluntly stated, “I've never liked him. The reason I don't is that Dak just owned him when he was in Washington,” while also highlighting Cousins' disappointing 1-4 postseason record to question his credentials as a true Super Bowl-caliber leader.
Despite the skepticism from critics regarding Cousins’ potential, Minnesota's front office envisions a longer and more stable partnership with him at quarterback. According to a report from ESPN, before finalizing the trade with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Vikings placed an important exploratory phone call to Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney. This was to confirm that the team desired Cousins to be much more than just a one-year rental. The Vikings explicitly expressed their long-term intention for Cousins to be their starting quarterback heading into the 2027 season, a vision that Cousins was open to exploring.
Currently, Cousins is playing at an exceptionally high level, ranking fifth in the NFL with 2,340 passing yards and second with 20 touchdown passes. Additionally, his contract includes a $10 million fully guaranteed roster bonus for 2027, signaling that Minnesota is ready to end its tumultuous revolving door at quarterback.
Before formally leaving Las Vegas, Cousins made a lasting impression on the franchise's new era. Pro Football Hall of Famer and Raiders legend Tim Brown praised him on X, thanking him for selflessly mentoring rookie starter Fernando Mendoza. Brown wrote, “Hey Kirk Cousins, thank you for celebrating others' victories and lifting people without comparison or jealousy.”