The Minnesota Vikings have turned to a familiar face to address their quarterback problems, bringing Kirk Cousins back from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick.

After struggling to find consistency at the position throughout the season, Kevin O’Connell’s team has reunited with a quarterback who already knows his system and has previously enjoyed considerable success in Minnesota.

The move has also received a ringing endorsement from former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce. The six-time First-Team All-Pro believes Cousins could immediately change Minnesota’s postseason outlook, going as far as suggesting that the quarterback reunion makes the Vikings a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Jason Kelce Calls Kirk Cousins Trade the Best Move of the Deadline

During this week’s episode of the New Heights podcast, Kelce discussed the Vikings’ decision to reacquire Cousins after their struggles at quarterback came into focus during a Week 9 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Kelce suggested that the Raiders’ decision to move Cousins also made sense, given that Fernando Mendoza was waiting for his opportunity in Las Vegas. However, he was particularly impressed with what the veteran quarterback could bring to Minnesota.

“Vikings obviously saw all season how badly they’ve struggled in the quarterback position. Especially last night, my former teammate, Carson Wentz, it was a rough night,” Kelce said.

“With the way that defense is playing, I think Kirk Cousins is a huge get for them. I think it was the perfect one, he understands the system, he knows what he’s going into terminology-wise with O’Connell.”

The former Eagles center also described the move as the most impactful acquisition of the trade deadline, particularly given how quickly Cousins could improve Minnesota’s chances of making a postseason run.

“For me, I think this is the best move of everything done so far to immediately change what a team’s prognosis is for the postseason. The Vikings were not gonna win a Super Bowl with what they had on offense.”

“Kirk just literally by being, I don’t like calling him a game manager because he can still play really well…I just think that this will immediately elevate the Vikings offense to at least being mediocre, which makes them a Super Bowl-contending team with how good their defense is.”

Cousins has produced strong numbers for Las Vegas this season, amassing 2,340 passing yards on 64.1% completion, 20 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, adding 7 rushing yards and 2 scores for the Raiders this season. Cousins is ranked 11th in PFN’s QB Impact Score with a grade of 80.5, through Week 9.

One of the biggest advantages of bringing Cousins back is that the quarterback spent six seasons in Minnesota between 2018 and 2023 and already has experience working with O’Connell, who coached Cousins during the quarterback’s final two seasons in Minnesota.

He led the Vikings to an NFC North Division title in 2022, tying the NFL single-season record of 8 game-winning drives, and finished his first stint with a 50-37-1 record as Minnesota starter.

On the other hand, Kyler Murray has flattered to deceive under center for the Vikings since winning the QB1 job over the recently departed J.J. McCarthy. The former Arizona Cardinals standout has managed 1,022 passing yards on 64.9% completion, 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.

Murray has already missed game time with a concussion and, more recently, a hamstring injury, leaving Wentz and Brosmer as Minnesota’s available alternatives and increasing the urgency to add another quarterback.

With Murray under center, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips’ unit has struggled, ranking 30th in PFN Offense Impact Score with a grade of 65.8 through nine weeks. On the other side of the ball, Minnesota an PFN Defense Impact Score of 92.9, through Week 9 the best in NFL.