Kirk Cousins is going home.

The Minnesota Vikings are reacquiring the veteran quarterback from the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2027 third-round draft pick, according to reports Tuesday. The deal landed ahead of the NFL trade deadline at 3 p.m. Central.

The move came less than 24 hours after a rough Monday night in Minnesota. Carson Wentz, filling in for the injured Kyler Murray, completed 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards and turned the ball over three times.

Mendoza's moment in Las Vegas

The trade opens the door for Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. Mendoza is now set to make his first start for the Raiders this week at home against the Seattle Seahawks, with Aidan O'Connell as his backup.

Cousins, 38, was always meant to be a bridge in Las Vegas until Mendoza was ready. He went well beyond that. In nine starts he threw for 2,340 yards with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His 20 touchdown passes are second-most in the NFL.

A familiar fit

Cousins played six seasons for the Vikings from 2018 through 2023. He made the Pro Bowl in 2022 under coach Kevin O'Connell, throwing for 4,547 yards and 29 touchdowns.

That was also the best season of Justin Jefferson's career. The star receiver led the league with 128 catches and 1,809 yards that year.

Cousins tore his Achilles in 2023 against Green Bay and left for Atlanta in free agency the next spring. He struggled through two seasons as he worked back from the injury before bouncing back this fall.

Minnesota's search ends where it started

The Vikings started 6-2 but have lost two straight while scoring only 19 points combined. Their defense and special teams rank among the league's best, which is why the front office wanted a steadier hand at quarterback.

Minnesota has used eight different starting quarterbacks since Cousins left. Murray, who signed a one-year deal in the spring, has a Grade 2 hamstring strain. The Vikings play the Packers on Sunday.