Kirk Cousins Starts for Vikings vs. Packers; Talks on 2027 Return Held
Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed Kirk Cousins will start against the Green Bay Packers after the trade with the Raiders. Sources say the team has already talked to the 38-year-old quarterback about staying through the 2027 season.
Kirk Cousins will start at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings against the division rival Green Bay Packers, coach Kevin O'Connell announced in an afternoon update ahead of the game, so the answer to whether Kirk Cousins is starting this week is yes. Sources also said the Vikings have already talked to Cousins about returning for the 2027 season.
Minnesota acquired the 38-year-old in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Vikings want the deal to be more than a one-year rental, according to the sources.
The call before the trade
Before the trade was completed, Vikings executives phoned Mike McCartney, the agent who has represented Cousins throughout his career. The message was short: Minnesota would like Cousins' return to last beyond this season.
McCartney told general manager Nolan Teasley and Rob Brzezinski, the team's executive vice president of football operations, that he believed Cousins was more than open to continuing the relationship into 2027. No firm offers or deadlines were attached. The trade with the Raiders went ahead after that conversation.
Cousins is due to be a free agent after the season. Sources said that if all goes well, the two sides could find a way to stay together.
Contract details
The Vikings took on the rest of Cousins' minimum salary for 2026. They also took on $10 million fully guaranteed in a roster bonus for 2027.
If Cousins becomes Minnesota's starter next season, that $10 million would be folded into a salary expected to exceed it, according to the sources.
A record and a long search
Cousins is playing well. He enters the game fifth in the NFL in passing yards with 2,340 and second in touchdown passes with 20, behind only Joe Burrow.
He will be the first quarterback in NFL history to start back-to-back weeks for two different teams since quarterback starts became official in 1950, according to ESPN Research.
Minnesota's search for a passer has been a winding one. The Vikings have used Cousins, Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Kyler Murray, then went back to Wentz. Jaren Hall, Josh Dobbs, Nick Mullens and Max Brosmer also saw time.
For the near future, the sources said, the Vikings would like to stop searching.
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