Report: Vikings "have identified" Kirk Cousins as "prime trade candidate"

The Minnesota Vikings are set to sign a new quarterback on the same day they announce the move, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter. The potential target of this acquisition is Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has been identified as a prime trade candidate by Schefter before today's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline. Cousins spent time with the Vikings between 2018 and 2023 before joining the Falcons for 2024 and 2025.

The Raiders acquired him recently. If the Vikings go through with the trade, Cousins' first game would likely be on Sunday against the Packers in Lambeau Field - the same venue where he suffered an Achilles tendon injury during his last Vikings outing in 2023. That injury occurred just six days after a Monday night victory over the 49ers.

Following that game, Cousins went on to play the 49ers in Mexico City two weeks later, which would have been his final game with the Raiders. However, the exact outcome of the trade remains to be seen, but the Vikings are clearly looking to bolster their quarterback position.