Kirk Cousins is back with the Minnesota Vikings and the rest of the NFC North is on high alert. The Vikings have already shown the division what its dominant defense can do, just imagine how the team will perform with a functional offense.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur will get his first look at the Vikings' revamped offense in Week 10. LaFleur is well aware what Cousins can bring to the table, and admitted he was surprised the Vikings didn't have to give up more to bring Cousins back.

The Vikings managed to acquire Cousins on Tuesday for a 2027 third-round pick. With the move, the Raiders can now turn things over to No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

LaFleur had nothing but positive things to say about Cousins, calling him "a really intelligent guy" who has been "playing at a high level."

LaFleur then put the focus on the Las Vegas Raiders, saying he was surprised the team didn't get more in exchange for 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. It was mind blowing to me."

The Packers' coach didn't mention the Vikings in his comments — or the Raiders, for that matter — but the implication was clear: He felt Minnesota should have been forced to part with more in exchange for Cousins.

That shouldn't necessarily come as a surprise. Cousins undoubtedly improves the Vikings in 2026 and makes the team a more legitimate Super Bowl contender. That could come at the expense of the Packers, who are fighting hard to remain in an exceptionally tough NFC North. Given all that, it's understandable why LaFleur would want to see a division rival part with more talent or higher draft picks in any trade.

Whether Cousins draws the start for the Vikings in Week 10 remains an open question. There are already reports suggesting that will be the case, as Cousins is still familiar with the team's offense. LaFleur certainly expects to see Cousins under center Sunday.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell isn't willing to make that commitment yet, saying the team would like that outcome, but wants to make sure Cousins is comfortable.

That sounds like an honest answer from O'Connell, though there could be a fair amount of gamesmanship in there.

Whether of not Cousins takes the field against the Packers in Week 10, LaFleur knows how much the veteran quarterback improves the Vikings. That's not a good thing for the Packers — or any team in the NFC North — which explains why LaFleur wishes Minnesota gave up more in the deal.