Kirk Cousins’ elite bag-getting reaches new levels with Raiders’ trade back to Vikings

Kirk Cousins, renowned for his exceptional ball-handling abilities, has reached new heights with the Minnesota Vikings after being traded by the Las Vegas Raiders, according to ClutchPoints. The veteran quarterback has landed himself a position with not one, not two, but three NFL teams for the 2026 NFL season. This unique scenario has sparked discussions about his extraordinary bag-getting skills.

The Atlanta Falcons, who had previously signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in 2024, are still obligated to pay the $8.7 million they owed him for the remainder of the season. On top of that, the Raiders will pay the remaining $1.3 million base salary and a $10 million roster bonus in spring, as reported by ESPN's Kevin Seifert.

Following Carson Wentz's underwhelming performance in a 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Minnesota Vikings decided it was time to bring in a new quarterback. Wentz had only managed 81 passing yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions on an abysmal 8-of-25 completion rate during his time with the team. The Vikings were clearly in need of an offensive boost, and they believe Cousins is the answer.

For the Vikings, who started the season with a 6-0 record before losing their next two games, Cousins' acquisition comes at a crucial moment. Despite their early-season success, the team's offense had not been impressive, even when they were winning. During Cousins' nine starts for the Raiders in 2026, he threw for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions, maintaining a 64.1 percent completion rate.

Prior to joining the Raiders, Cousins had spent six seasons with the Vikings from 2018 to 2022, where he threw for 23,265 yards, 171 touchdowns, and 55 interceptions across 88 games. He also led the team to two playoff appearances during that time.