Kirk Cousins is back with the Minnesota Vikings after the team acquired him from the Las Vegas Raiders ahead of the trade deadline. However, the veteran quarterback still has one detail to settle before his return to the field.
Cousins wore No. 8 during his previous stint in Minnesota, but the number is currently worn by rookie safety Jakobe Thomas, a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Vikings' official roster has yet to assign Cousins a number.
The quarterback confirmed Wednesday that he has not spoken with Thomas about potentially taking the number but expects them to work things out.
“I need to circle back with him,” Cousins told reporters. “Haven't gotten there. So we'll have a conversation and I think Mike Parsons will help us, too, in the equipment room. But, yeah, I've got to talk to Jakobe for sure.”
“I'm confident that Jakobe and I can have a healthy and mature conversation and figure this out,” he added.
The situation adds a lighthearted detail to Cousins' return to a franchise where he spent six seasons from 2018 through 2023. He earned three Pro Bowl selections during that stretch and developed a strong connection with wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
His first assignment will come against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday. Cousins suffered an Achilles injury at the same stadium in 2023, making his return there another notable part of the reunion.
Whether he gets No. 8 remains to be seen. For now, Cousins and Thomas still need to have that conversation before the quarterback can reclaim his familiar number.