The Minnesota Vikings acquired quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2027 third-round draft pick as the NFL trade deadline passed on Tuesday.
The move follows a disparate performance by Minnesota’s offense on Monday night, where Carson Wentz completed eight of 25 passes for 81 yards and two interceptions in a 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills, according to The Guardian. The Vikings’ defense saw a performance drop in a loss to the Buffalo Bills, per ESPN.
Cousins, 38, returns to the team he led from 2018 to 2023. He is playing his best football since 2023, a season that was cut short by an Achilles injury, USA Today reported.
Term update: the Vikings are trading a 2027 third-round pick for Kirk Cousins. https://t.co/3PZeDY92y4
“It's the best defense in the National Football League, and they have nothing to show for their work because of the ineptitude on the offensive side of the ball,” ESPN analyst and former NFL defensive lineman Chris Canty said.
The Raiders will now rely on Fernando Mendoza, the team’s No. 1 pick, to start at quarterback.
"I got 3 words for you: YOU LIKE THAT!?" Gotta love @KirkCousins8! 💜 pic.twitter.com/jHljRpS5v4
Jacksonville and Philadelphia make aggressive moves
The Jacksonville Jaguars executed two major defensive trades, acquiring defensive tackle Jordan Davis and safety Jessie Bates III. TSN reported that the Jaguars sent a first-round pick and two second-round selections to secure Davis.
To acquire Bates III, the Jaguars also utilized a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick, according to TSN. Additionally, the Jaguars acquired defensive tackle Davon Godchaux from the New Orleans Saints for a 2028 sixth-round pick, ESPN reported.
Davis signed a three-year, $78 million contract extension in March of this season. As part of the transaction, Jacksonville added $650,000 in cap space, per ESPN.
One longtime NFL personnel executive told Casino.org that the Jaguars “needed a sense of urgency” because the franchise “was about to fracture.”
The @Jaguars already had the NFL's best defense we aren't talking about enough. Now, here's Jessie Bates III. Serious business! pic.twitter.com/wz2kHGha8T
Colts Trade Nelson and Allen to Clear Cap
- Trading guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, theScore reported. Nelson is in the final year of a four-year, $80 million extension signed in 2022 and is a 2027 unrestricted free agent, per The Guardian. The Seahawks’ move also involved moving Zabel to the right side, The Guardian reported.
- Trading wide receiver Keenan Allen to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2027 sixth-round pick, theScore reported.
Despite the roster turnover, the Colts opted not to trade star running back Jonathan Taylor, even after receiving offers featuring second-round picks, USA Today reported.
Earlier coverage: Colts Weigh Trade Offers for Jonathan Taylor Before NFL Deadline
The Colts won’t trade star RB Jonathan Taylor by today’s deadline, sources tell @ringer @netflixsports. Multiple teams offered a second-round pick and more for Taylor. But the Colts wanted a blockbuster offer to even consider it. Instead, Taylor stays in Indy. pic.twitter.com/FH1NtHa8k6
More on Kirk Cousins
BREAKING: Raiders trading QB Kirk Cousins to the Vikings for a 2027 third-round pick. (via @adamschefter, @rapsheet, @mikegarafolo) pic.twitter.com/7r5tJeXJYx
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