The NFL trade deadline reunited Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings. But was five days enough to prepare and take the starting job?
Cousins returned to Minnesota as part of an NFL trade deadline move on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Five days later, he will make his second Vikings debut as Minnesota takes on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Nov. 15, head coach Kevin O'Connell announced during the week.
"Kirk Cousins will start the football game. Cannot give him enough credit for coming in here, how he's gone about the week. Both him and the coaching staff getting him ready to go, working extremely hard, using all the time we possibly can," O'Connell said.
Cousins' first
start of his second stint with Minnesota will be his second straight Vikings start at Lambeau Field. The last game the 38-year-old played for the Vikings in his first stint ended early, when he tore his Achilles and had to be carted off of the field. Cousins hit free agency after that season and signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
After two full seasons away – as well as the back half of 2023 and the front half of 2026 – Cousins is back with the Vikings. Here's what to know:
Is Kirk Cousins starting today?
Yes, Cousins is making his first start with the Vikings in 2026 on Sunday, Nov. 15.
Minnesota is traveling to face the Packers on the road in Week 10. The game is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET.
Kirk Cousins trade details
Vikings get:
- QB Kirk Cousins
Raiders get:
- 2027 third-round pick
Las Vegas acquired more early draft capital to build around its new starting quarterback: rookie No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Minnesota got the quarterback it had been seeking after weeks of rough play from starter Kyler Murray and backup Carson Wentz, and trading 2024 first round pick J.J. McCarthy to the Giants.
The Vikings are committed to going for it this season despite their early offensive struggles. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has constructed a defense that has been the best in the league at preventing scoring, and Minnesota is 6-2 largely because of that unit.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kirk Cousins to start for Vikings in Week 10 vs Packers
