EAGAN, MINNESOTA — Kirk Cousins is returning to the Minnesota Vikings after the team acquired the veteran quarterback from the Las Vegas Raiders ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, hoping his familiarity with the organization can help revive an offense that has struggled in recent weeks. Cousins spoke to reporters Wednesday at the team’s TCO Performance Center in Eagan, describing his return as an opportunity he was grateful to have. The Vikings sent Las Vegas a 2027 third-round draft pick in exchange for Cousins, reuniting him with head coach Kevin O’Connell and several former teammates, including wide receiver Justin Jefferson. How the Trade Happened Cousins said he was having breakfast with teammates at the Raiders’ practice facility Tuesday morning when his phone began buzzing. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak asked whether he was in the building and requested that he come upstairs to meet with Kubiak and general manager John Spytek. Cousins quickly realized a trade might be in the works. “I looked at my teammates and I said, ‘I have a guess what this might mean,’” Cousins said. “My heart started beating a little faster, headed up there and talked to Spytek and Klint. They were the pure class they had been since day one.” After learning he was headed back to Minnesota, Cousins said he discussed the move with his wife, Julie, and their two sons, who are attending school in Las Vegas. The family had to consider whether to relocate the children during the school year. Cousins said his wife picked them up from school and explained the situation, asking what they wanted to do. “They looked at her and said, ‘Let’s go,’” Cousins said. “They’re ready and excited for the next several weeks.” The family will also need to make new housing arrangements in Minnesota. Cousins said they previously sold their Twin Cities home. Why the Vikings Made the Move Minnesota entered the trade deadline looking for answers at quarterback after consecutive losses and struggles on offense. The Vikings opened the season 6-0 but dropped their next two games. In Monday night’s 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills, quarterback Carson Wentz threw for just 81 yards and two interceptions. Kyler Murray has also been dealing with a hamstring injury. General manager Nolan Teasley said the team believed Cousins represented an opportunity to improve the roster and make a stronger push toward the playoffs. “Ultimately in Kirk, we saw an opportunity to acquire an accomplished quarterback and improve the Minnesota Vikings. He made sense for a lot of reasons,” Teasley said. “This roster has earned the right to maximize the potential where we can take this thing. This move was about what’s best for the Vikings right now.” When asked whether Cousins would play, Teasley was direct. “We didn’t acquire Kirk to not play,” he said. Familiarity Could Help Cousins Return Quickly Cousins spent six seasons with Minnesota from 2018 through 2023, including two seasons under O’Connell. During that span, he threw 171 touchdown passes and averaged approximately 265 passing yards per game. He said returning to a familiar offense and working with players he already knows could help him play more naturally rather than having to learn an entirely new system. “I’m not too interested in completely starting over,” Cousins said. “To me it’s important to be able to play with instinct, and if you’re thinking I don’t think you can be the player you otherwise would be.” O’Connell said he spent much of Wednesday catching up with Cousins and working to get him comfortable with the offense. “It’s great to have him back in the building. You feel his energy right away,” O’Connell said. “We’re working through getting him comfortable, getting him up to speed.” O’Connell said it was too early to confirm whether Cousins would be ready to start Sunday’s game. Cousins Has His Sights on a Super Bowl Cousins said his motivation for returning to Minnesota goes beyond familiarity with the team. He wants an opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl. “It’s all about winning a Super Bowl. It always has been in every organization when the year begins, we’re here to win football games and ultimately win a Super Bowl,” Cousins said. The Vikings are hoping the veteran quarterback can provide the consistency their offense has lacked while complementing a defense led by coordinator Brian Flores. Minnesota is scheduled to face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field at noon Sunday. Whether Cousins starts in his first game back with the Vikings remains to be determined. Source: Minnesota Vikings; NFL trade reports.