​Kirk Cousins was doing well as Las Vegas Raiders‘ starter recording 2,340 yards and 20 touchdowns in nine games this season. The Raiders had the no.1 draft pick quarterback Fernando Mendoza as Cousins’ backup as they wanted to develop him for the future under Cousins’ mentorship.Just as the trade deadline was about to end, Minnesota Vikings came in with an offer for Kirk Cousins to fix their quarterback situation. Former Vikings quarterback Cousins is familiar with the environment at the Vikings and he is supposed to start for them right away.Kirk Cousins expected to start right way for the VikingsOn Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the Minnesota Vikings acquired quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft pick. Cousins played for the franchise from 2018 to 2023 and left Minnesota after tearing his Achilles tendon in a 2023 game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.Oct 18, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws a pass in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Brytus-Imagn ImagesPat McAfee asked NFL insider Adam Schefter about this move and according to him, Cousins is expected to start right away. “I am gonna guess he plays Sunday at Green Bay,” Schefter said. He recalled Cousins played his last game with the Vikings at the exact same stadium against the exact same opponent. “His last appearance as a Viking came at Lambeau Field when he tore his Achilles on that same field.”Cousins already knows O’Connell’s system from his previous years in Minnesota. So it makes sense that Vikings plan to put him under center right away.The move allows the Raiders to begin the Fernando Mendoza era after being mentored by Kirk Cousins so far.Fernando Mendoza gets the responsibility of RaidersFernando Mendoza will make his first career NFL start this Sunday at Allegiant Stadium against the Seattle Seahawks, the defending Super Bowl champions. Head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek confirmed the decision shortly after the trade.“This is something that he’s worked very hard for since the moment he’s walked into this building,” said John Spytek on Mendoza. “He passed every test. … He put us in a position where we had to make a very hard decision today with his growth as a person, as a teammate, as a leader, as a quarterback.”“He’s prepared,” said Klint Kubiak, “he practices extremely well and his work habits also allowed us to make this trade because we feel that he’s ready to go. And we’re excited for him to take the ball for the game here this Sunday.”Mendoza’s next few starts will come against strong defenses. he will be up against the Seahawks, the Broncos, and the Browns.More NFL News:Browns Get Burned by Player Released Just Days Before Week 9 Saints GameMaxx Crosby Reveals What Team Leadership Told Him Directly Amid Ongoing Trade Deadline ChatterInsa