Kirk Cousins is about to carve out a wild piece of NFL history. ESPN’s Adam Schefter just dropped the bomb that the veteran QB is gonna be the first signal-caller ever to start back-to-back weeks for different teams, a stat they’ve been tracking since 1950, when he suits up for the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday. Seriously, nobody’s ever done this.
From Raiders to Vikings, History in the Making
Cousins started for the Las Vegas Raiders just last Sunday in their game against the San Francisco 49ers. Now, less than a week later, he’s lining up as the starter for the Minnesota Vikings. But wait, there’s more history on the table! Schefter also noted that if the Vikings claw their way into the postseason, Cousins would become the first QB in league history to start a playoff game for one team after playing for another during that same season. Talk about high stakes. Whether Minnesota even sniffs the playoffs is going to depend massively on how Cousins performs, starting right now.
Why the Vikings Pulled the Trigger on a QB Swap
Minnesota is sitting at a solid 6-2, right in the middle of that playoff picture, thanks in large part to a legitimately dominant defense. That unit is first in the league in points allowed per game and second in yards allowed per game. They are legit, no joke. But the quarterback play before this move? Hoo boy, it was a concern. Kyler Murray, who was starting before this, had only five touchdown passes to three interceptions in six games before a hamstring injury sidelined him. And NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported Saturday that Murray is still “a couple of weeks away” from hitting the field. Then Carson Wentz stepped in against the Buffalo Bills, and the stats tell the story: 8-for-25 passing for 81 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions. That game happened right before the NFL’s trade deadline, which made it crystal clear they had to do something at the position before that incredible defense went totally to waste. Enter Cousins.
Old Familiarity, New Urgency
This isn’t Cousins’ first rodeo in purple. The four-time Pro Bowler actually played for the Vikings from 2018 through 2023, so he’s already familiar with head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system and has built-in chemistry with go-to receiver Justin Jefferson. You gotta think that’s why this transition, coming straight from the Raiders, should be fairly smooth. That quick turnaround is exactly what’s letting him make history this Sunday when the Vikings throw him right into the starting lineup for a key divisional game against the Packers.
So, what’s next for Cousins and the Vikings as they jump into a crucial divisional game against the Packers this Sunday? This isn’t just about making history, it’s about whether Cousins can elevate this 6-2 team deeper into that playoff picture. The pressure is on, and all eyes are going to be on that purple jersey.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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