Just as the clock was about to strike midnight on trade deadline season, the Las Vegas Raiders decided now was the time to make a franchise-altering move.
On Tuesday, just before the 4 pm ET deadline, it was reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Raiders had agreed to a deal to send quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Raiders are finalizing a trade to send QB Kirk Cousins to the Vikings, per ESPN and NFLN. pic.twitter.com/5uHWGz0OpK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2026
The Raiders receive a 2027 third-round pick from the Vikings in exchange.
The trade means the start of the Fernando Mendoza era, as Schefter also announced that he was named the starting quarterback for the Raiders moving forward.
Cousins ranks fifth in the NFL with 2,340 yards and second with 20 touchdown passes, although he has also thrown for eight interceptions, three of which came in the previous game against the San Francisco 49ers.