Raiders trade Kirk Cousins, turn to Fernando Mendoza

The Las Vegas Raiders are trading Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings for a third-round pick, making room for rookie Fernando Mendoza to start.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Nov 10, 2026, 12:35 PM Updated: 12:37 pm

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Fernando Mendoza #15 and Kirk Cousins #8 of the Las Vegas Raiders...

Fernando Mendoza #15 and Kirk Cousins #8 of the Las Vegas Raiders warm up on the sideline in the fourth quarter of a game against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Just hours before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, the Las Vegas Raiders agreed to send veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings, opening the door for rookie Fernando Mendoza to take over under center.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Minnesota is sending a 2027 third-round pick to Las Vegas in exchange for the 38-year-old quarterback.

Trade: The Raiders are trading QB Kirk Cousins to the Vikings, per @rapsheet and me. https://t.co/7Hxjt6TyR5— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2026

Cousins signed with the Raiders this offseason as a veteran presence while the team developed Mendoza, who was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Through nine starts this season, Cousins completed 64.1% of his passes for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The four-time Pro Bowler has been productive, throwing the second-most touchdowns in the NFL through Week 9.

Led by Cousins, the Raiders started the season 3-0 before dropping six of their next seven. That leaves them at 4-5 at the time of the deal, 3rd in the AFC West behind the Denver Broncos (7-2) and Kansas City Chiefs (6-2), but ahead of the winless Los Angeles Chargers (0-8).

Cousins’ final appearance with Las Vegas was a rough showing in Santa Clara. In Sunday’s 38-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Cousins completed 22 of 32 passes for 216 yards and one touchdown, but three interceptions killed their chances.

With their only win in the last seven weeks coming over the New York Jets, the move signals a change in direction that was always expected since Mendoza was drafted.

As is typical for rookie quarterbacks, no matter their collegiate resumes, Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner who led Indiana to a national championship, got to spend the first half of his rookie campaign learning behind the veteran Cousins.

The 23-year-old has appeared in just one regular-season game, completing six of eight passes for 48 yards late in a blowout loss to the New England Patriots in Week 5.

Now, Mendoza is expected to get full repetitions in the starting role as the Raiders prepare for their Week 10 matchup against Seattle.

Raiders No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza will now take over as the starting QB following Kirk Cousins’ trade to Minnesota.

Las Vegas is 4-5, and Mendoza’s first two career starts will come against the Seahawks and Broncos, two of the NFL’s top defenses. https://t.co/KFz0OfJt2J

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2026

While it’s a notable, expected change for the Raiders, Cousins is rejoining a familiar team that has much higher aspirations.

Cousins previously spent six seasons with the Vikings from 2018 through 2023, earning three Pro Bowl selections. He also played under current Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell at the end of that stint.

The Vikings currently sit at 6-2 but have dropped two consecutive games while dealing with inconsistent quarterback play. Initial starter Kyler Murray has missed time with a hamstring injury, while backup Carson Wentz struggled significantly in Monday night’s 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Cousins’ familiarity with O’Connell’s system gives Minnesota an experienced option. Their defense has remained one of the best in the league, and the hope is that Cousins can help get their offense back on track.

For Las Vegas, they let Mendoza learn before throwing him into the first, and added more draft capital in the process. Ideally, the most recent No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft will now be their starting quarterback of the future.