Vikings Zero In On Former QB Ahead Of 3 P.M. Trade Deadline: Report

UPDATE: Vikings Trade For Kirk Cousins, Bringing Former QB Back To Minnesota: Report

EAGAN, MN — The Minnesota Vikings have zeroed in on a familiar face as they try to land a quarterback before Tuesday's 3 p.m. Central trade deadline.

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ESPN's Adam Schefter reported shortly after noon Tuesday that the Vikings have identified Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins as a prime trade target.

Cousins started for Minnesota from 2018 to 2023, including two seasons under current head coach Kevin O'Connell. No deal has been announced.

Earlier in the morning, Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Vikings had started calling around the league about acquiring a quarterback, capping days of swirling trade rumors.

The push comes after a rough Monday night. The Vikings fell 23-6 to the Buffalo Bills at U.S. Bank Stadium, their second straight loss after a 6-0 start. Filling in for Kyler Murray, who is week-to-week with a hamstring strain, Carson Wentz completed 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards with two interceptions. His 2.3 QBR was the lowest of any NFL quarterback this season, according to ESPN.

Whether Las Vegas will part with Cousins is still an open question. Schefter reported over the weekend that the Raiders had not fielded any calls on Cousins and weren't interested in moving him, preferring to keep him as the starter until rookie Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, is ready. That was before the Raiders lost 38-17 to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday to fall to 4-5.

After that loss, Cousins told reporters the decision "feels a little bit out of my hands," The Sporting News reported.

The 38-year-old has thrown for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season, per Bleacher Report.

Cousins had been one of two former O'Connell quarterbacks linked to Minnesota in recent days. The other, Daniel Jones, appears off the table after NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that the Indianapolis Colts told Jones he won't be traded before the deadline.

The NFL trade deadline is 3 p.m. Central on Tuesday.