Huge NFL Trade Alert: Cousins Back to Minnesota and No. 1 Pick Mendoza Given the Keys to Raiders QB Job

Kirk Cousins Traded Back to the Vikings and Fernando Mendoza to Start for the Raiders

At 38 years old, Kirk Cousins is certainly no stranger to the NFL spotlight. The veteran quarterback has built a reputation as one of the league’s more consistent pocket passers, combining accuracy, preparation and an ability to put up impressive passing numbers throughout his career. He will now go back to doing so in Minnesota.

Kirk Cousins played his college football at Michigan State, where he developed into one of the better quarterbacks in the Big Ten. The Washington Redskins selected him in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft with the 102nd overall pick. Interestingly, Washington had already selected Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick that same year, meaning Cousins entered the league as something of an insurance policy rather than the organization’s quarterback of the future. That turned out to be a pretty good insurance policy.

Cousins eventually earned the starting job in Washington, where he established himself as a productive NFL quarterback. After six seasons with the organization, he entered free agency in 2018 and signed with the Minnesota Vikings, beginning what would become one of the most productive chapters of his career.

Revisiting Cousins’ First Minnesota Tenure

Cousins spent six seasons in Minnesota from 2018 through 2023, becoming the team’s primary starting quarterback and earning three Pro Bowl selections during his time with the Vikings. He quickly became known for his ability to distribute the football, connect with receivers downfield and produce big statistical seasons. His partnership with wide receiver Justin Jefferson became particularly productive, while his connection with tight end T.J. Hockenson also helped give Minnesota a dangerous passing attack.

One of Cousins’ most memorable seasons came in 2022, when he helped lead Minnesota to a 13-4 record and an NFC North championship. The Vikings became one of the league’s most entertaining teams that season, winning several dramatic games, including an incredible comeback against the Indianapolis Colts after falling behind 33-0. Cousins also produced some memorable individual performances, including his famous fourth quarter comeback against Indianapolis, which became one of the largest comebacks in NFL history.

His Minnesota tenure wasn’t without disappointment, particularly when it came to postseason success. The Vikings managed only one playoff victory during his six seasons, and critics frequently questioned whether Cousins could consistently deliver when the stakes were highest. His final season in Minnesota ended in heartbreaking fashion. During a Week 8 game against the Green Bay Packers in 2023, Cousins suffered a torn Achilles tendon, ending his season prematurely. He subsequently signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 before eventually finding his way to Las Vegas in 2026. Now, nearly three years after his departure, Cousins is heading back to the place where he enjoyed some of the best football of his career.

How Has Cousins Played in 2026?

Despite the Raiders sitting at 4-5, Cousins has been putting together a respectable season. In fact, his numbers suggest he still has plenty left in the tank. Through nine starts with Las Vegas, Cousins has completed 202 of 315 passing attempts, good for a 64.1% completion percentage. He has thrown for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions while maintaining a 97.1 passer rating. He has also added two rushing touchdowns.

Those are respectable numbers for a veteran quarterback, particularly one playing for a team that is still trying to establish its identity. Cousins has demonstrated that he can still read defenses, deliver accurate passes and operate a professional offense. His 20 touchdown passes against eight interceptions are particularly noteworthy. The Raiders were not getting rid of a quarterback who had completely fallen apart. They were moving on from a productive veteran because they had a highly touted rookie waiting in the wings. He had no running game support, mediocre wide receivers, and a horrible defense that has given up 30+ points in six straight games.

What Did Minnesota Give Up to Get Cousins Back?

The Vikings acquired Cousins in exchange for a third round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft. The transaction is pending Cousins passing a physical. For Minnesota, the price is relatively reasonable if the veteran can stabilize an offense that has struggled to find consistency this season.

The Vikings entered the transaction with a 6-2 record but some significant questions at quarterback. They had already experimented with multiple options, including Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz, while trying to find someone capable of getting the offense back on track. Cousins offers something neither a developing quarterback nor a temporary replacement can necessarily provide: familiarity. He knows the organization, knows the offensive expectations and has already developed chemistry with several important players.

Most importantly, he knows head coach Kevin O’Connell. O’Connell was Cousins’ quarterbacks coach during the 2021 season before becoming Minnesota’s head coach in 2022. The two have an established relationship and understand how each other operates. Cousins also has existing relationships with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. Rather than asking a quarterback to learn an entirely new organization in the middle of the season, Minnesota is bringing back someone who has already spent six years there. That could make a significant difference as the Vikings attempt to make a postseason push.

Fernando Mendoza: The Future of the Las Vegas Raiders

Now comes the really interesting part of this story. With Cousins heading back to Minnesota, the Raiders are officially turning the offense over to Fernando Mendoza, their prized rookie quarterback and the first overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza isn’t just another highly drafted quarterback. He arrives in Las Vegas with a college resume that includes a Heisman Trophy, a national championship and some truly impressive statistical accomplishments.

Mendoza’s journey to the NFL is an interesting one. Unlike many highly recruited quarterbacks who arrive at major college programs with national attention, Mendoza wasn’t considered an elite prospect coming out of high school. Born in Boston and raised in Miami, Florida, Mendoza attended Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, where he played quarterback for the Explorers. Despite putting together a solid high school career, he wasn’t heavily recruited. He received scholarship opportunities from Yale and the University of California, ultimately choosing California, where he began his college football journey.

Mendoza redshirted during the 2022 season before working his way into the starting lineup at Cal. He showed steady improvement, throwing for 1,708 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023 before putting together an even stronger 2024 campaign. That season, he passed for 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing nearly 69% of his attempts. But his biggest opportunity came when he transferred to Indiana University for the 2025 season.

The Indiana Breakout: A Heisman Trophy and National Championship

Mendoza’s 2025 season was nothing short of spectacular. He led the Indiana Hoosiers through an undefeated 16-0 season, helping the program capture its first national championship. Indiana defeated several nationally ranked opponents along the way, including Alabama, Oregon and Miami during its championship run.

Mendoza finished the season completing 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also contributed seven rushing touchdowns. Those numbers helped him capture the prestigious Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. He also collected the Walter Camp Award, Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award and Associated Press Player of the Year honors.

His performance in the national championship game against Miami was particularly impressive. Despite taking considerable punishment from the Hurricanes defense, Mendoza continued making plays and helped Indiana secure the championship. For the Raiders, there was little mystery about what they wanted when the 2026 NFL Draft arrived. They selected Mendoza with the first overall pick, making him the centerpiece of their rebuilding efforts. The Raiders had not selected a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick in nearly two decades, making the selection a major organizational statement.

What Can Raiders Fans Expect From Mendoza?

Mendoza has several characteristics that made him attractive to NFL scouts. At approximately 6’5″ and 225 pounds, he has the physical frame teams look for in a modern NFL quarterback. He possesses good pocket awareness, a quick release and the ability to make accurate throws at different levels of the field. He is also more mobile than some traditional pocket passers, giving offensive coordinators additional options when designing plays.

One of his biggest strengths is his decision making. At Indiana, he demonstrated an ability to read defenses, work through progressions and avoid unnecessary turnovers. His six interceptions against 41 touchdown passes during his final college season are evidence of that discipline. However, there are reasons for caution. College football and the NFL are two very different animals. Mendoza will now face defensive coordinators who have spent years studying professional offenses and designing complicated defensive schemes.

His arm strength has also been discussed as an area that may not be elite compared with some of the NFL’s biggest armed quarterbacks. While he can make the necessary throws, he will need to demonstrate that he can consistently attack tight NFL windows. And then there’s the experience factor. Before the Cousins trade, Mendoza had appeared in just one regular season NFL game. He entered a loss against the New England Patriots on October 11th and completed six of eight passes for 48 yards. That’s not exactly an extensive NFL audition.

Now, the training wheels are coming off. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has officially named Mendoza the starting quarterback heading into Week 10. His first start is expected to come against the Seattle Seahawks on November 15th. That is a particularly challenging introduction to the NFL starting lineup. Seattle currently has one of the league’s most formidable defenses, ranking first in total yards allowed and fourth in points allowed. Mendoza will have to learn quickly.

The Bigger Picture: Minnesota Wants to Win Now, Las Vegas Wants to Win Later

This trade is an interesting example of two NFL organizations approaching their quarterback situations from completely different perspectives. Minnesota is 6-2 and believes it has the pieces to make a serious run. The Vikings have a talented roster, an established coaching staff and offensive weapons capable of making life easier for a veteran quarterback. Bringing Cousins back gives them an experienced player who can potentially get the offense moving again without having to spend weeks learning an entirely new system.

Las Vegas, meanwhile, is 4-5 and has decided that its long-term future is more important than squeezing another season out of a veteran quarterback. The Raiders invested the No. 1 overall pick in Mendoza. Keeping him on the sidelines indefinitely would accomplish very little. At some point, the rookie needs to play, experience the speed of the professional game and learn what it takes to become an NFL starter. Cousins provided stability while Mendoza learned the offense. Now the Raiders are ready to find out what they actually have.

There is also an interesting connection here. Cousins originally joined the Raiders in 2026 under head coach Klint Kubiak, who previously worked with him in Minnesota. Kubiak clearly understands what Cousins brings to an offense, which makes the decision to move him even more notable. According to reports, the Raiders were not actively shopping Cousins before Minnesota made its move. General manager John Spytek indicated that the Vikings were the one serious team to approach Las Vegas that morning.

Final Thoughts

The Kirk Cousins trade is a potentially significant move for both organizations, but the real winners won’t be determined by the draft pick exchanged or the headlines generated on Tuesday. Minnesota is betting that familiarity, experience and a quarterback who has already succeeded in its system can help salvage its season. Cousins gets another opportunity with an organization where he enjoyed considerable success, and he will be reunited with several familiar faces.

For the Raiders, the move represents a changing of the guard. Fernando Mendoza is officially the guy, and the organization is ready to see whether its No. 1 overall selection can become the franchise quarterback it desperately needs. Mendoza has the college credentials, the physical tools and the confidence to potentially become something special. But now comes the difficult part: proving he can do it against NFL defenses. His first test against Seattle will be a serious one.

One thing is certain: Raiders fans have been waiting for their next franchise quarterback, and they are about to get their first real look at the player they hope will lead them into the future. Kirk Cousins is heading back to Minnesota. Fernando Mendoza is taking over in Las Vegas. And the NFL quarterback carousel keeps spinning.

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Raiders Trade Kirk Cousins to Vikings for 2027 Third-Round Pick November 10, 2026. Official confirmation of the trade, Cousins’ 2026 statistics and trade compensation.

2. Minnesota Vikings: Vikings Bring Back QB Kirk Cousins Via Trade with Raiders November 10, 2026. Cousins’ Minnesota history, relationship with Kevin O’Connell, career background and current statistics.

3. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza Named Starting Quarterback Official announcement confirming Mendoza as the Raiders’ new starting quarterback, along with his Indiana statistics and draft position.

4. Associated Press: Vikings Bring Back QB Kirk Cousins in Trade with Raiders November 10, 2026. Detailed reporting on the trade, Minnesota’s quarterback situation and the transition to Mendoza.

5. CBS Sports: Vikings Trade for Kirk Cousins, Raiders Begin Fernando Mendoza Era Analysis of the trade, Cousins’ previous Minnesota record, contract history and Mendoza’s expectations.

6. NFL.com: Vikings Acquire Kirk Cousins on Trade Deadline Day Background on Cousins’ career, his relationship with O’Connell and Mendoza taking over in Las Vegas.

7. Reuters: Vikings Reacquire Kirk Cousins in Deadline Deal with Raiders Additional reporting on the financial details of the transaction and its implications for both teams.

8. Los Angeles Times: Kirk Cousins Returns to Vikings After Raiders Trade Deadline Deal Additional background on Cousins’ career, Minnesota’s season and the Raiders’ decision to move forward with Mendoza.