Raiders’ Kirk Cousins trade compensation leaves NFL coach stunned

The Las Vegas Raiders trading quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings was the biggest acquisition made before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.

This marks Cousins’ second stint in Minnesota. The last game the 38-year-old was wearing the purple and gold was when he tore his Achilles against the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 29, 2023.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. AP Photo/Justine Willard
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. AP Photo/Steven Senne

Coincidentally, Cousins’ Vikings are playing the Packers on Sunday, meaning he will pick up right where he left off.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was asked about facing Cousins when speaking to the media on Wednesday.

“He’ll be out there. He’ll be starting. I’m fairly confident in that. Obviously, he has got familiarity with their system. Even if he didn’t he’s a really intelligent guy, and I think he has been playing at a high level,” LaFleur said of Cousins.

“I was surprised [the Raiders] didn’t get more for him, quite honestly. I was shocked when I saw what they traded him for,” he added.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks on before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Nov. 8, 2026. Getty Images

The Raiders received a third-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft in exchange for Cousins.

Given how well Cousins had performed in Las Vegas this season and how desperate Minnesota was to acquire a competent quarterback, LaFleur’s sentiment makes sense.

And many Raiders fans will agree with his assessment of the deal.

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