Vikings rumors: Minnesota eyeing Kirk Cousins as ‘prime trade candidate’ before deadline

The Minnesota Vikings are actively seeking a solution for their quarterback position ahead of the NFL trade deadline. Following a disappointing home loss to the Buffalo Bills, head coach Kyle Shanahan's team has identified Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins as a prime trade candidate. According to league sources and NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Vikings are actively pursuing Cousins in hopes of bolstering their roster before the deadline at 4:00 pm ET.

Cousins previously played for the Vikings, achieving notable success before moving on to the Atlanta Falcons and currently the Raiders. Despite a relatively strong start to the year with the Las Vegas Raiders, Cousins' efficiency has diminished. However, his veteran experience makes him an invaluable asset for Minnesota, offering an immediate upgrade over current quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Kyler Murray.

Should the Vikings trade for Cousins, the Raiders would be left with their first-round draft pick, Fernando Mendoza, to potentially start the season. The amount of assets the Vikings would need to part with in order to acquire Cousins remains unclear. As the trade deadline looms, Minnesota aims to finalize a deal and begin the season with a stronger quarterback position.