The Minnesota Vikings (6-2) have officially named Kirk Cousins their starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers (6-3) at Lambeau Field, days after acquiring the 38-year-old from the Las Vegas Raiders at the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday. Head coach Kevin O'Connell, who had not committed to Cousins earlier in the week, confirmed the decision on Friday. The Vikings sent a 2027 third-round pick to Las Vegas in exchange for the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback, who practiced with the team on Thursday and Friday and was able to step straight into the starting job because of his familiarity with the offense.

Cousins, who played for Minnesota from 2018 to 2023 with O'Connell as his coach in his final two seasons, is returning to a team that badly needs a lift. The Vikings have scored just 11 offensive touchdowns this season, tied for the fewest in the NFL with the 0-8 Los Angeles Chargers, and their quarterback situation has been unstable. Cousins has thrown 20 passing touchdowns in 2026, second-most in the league behind Joe Burrow's 23. Minnesota has made an NFL-high 17 starting quarterback changes since Cousins tore his Achilles in his last Vikings start at Lambeau Field in Week 8 of the 2023 season.S1

The change follows a difficult stretch at the position. Kyler Murray started six games before injuring his hamstring, and Carson Wentz started Monday night's loss to the Buffalo Bills, a performance that was the worst by a Vikings starting quarterback since 2006. Murray has been ruled out for Sunday after not practicing all week. Cousins also brings a long connection with receiver Justin Jefferson, who won NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2022, his last season with a healthy Cousins. The 98.9 passing yards per game that Cousins averages to Jefferson is the most by any quarterback-receiver duo in NFL history with at least 50 games together.S1S2

Minnesota also released its injury report ahead of the game. Linebacker Blake Cashman (concussion), tight end T.J. Hockenson (wrist/chest), defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (ankle) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (calf) have been ruled out. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (calf), wide receiver Jordan Addison (thumb) and safety Josh Metellus (shoulder) are listed as questionable. If the Vikings reach the playoffs this season, Cousins could become the first quarterback in NFL history to start a playoff game in the same season he started for multiple teams.S1S2