The Minnesota Vikings made a big trade on Tuesday to better help the team compete to win the competitive NFC North, but it remains to be seen if Kirk Cousins will make the start in Week 10 at the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. The Vikings sent a third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders to bring back Cousins, who was on their roster from 2018 to 2023, including two seasons under head coach Kevin O'Connell. Minnesota has lost two games in a row amid the Grade 2 hamstring strain Kyler Murray suffered in Week 8, and has a 6-2 record before playing the 6-3 Packers.
On Wednesday, O'Connell told reporters he wasn't certain if Cousins would get the start against Green Bay, and wants Cousins to be comfortable with the offense before making his next start. More News: Exclusive: Breakout NFL Executives Who Could Become Future General Managers More News: Sigler’s Mount Rushmore of NFL GMs “I do think it’s still too early to commit wholeheartedly to what the plan on Sunday looks like, but I will say [I’m] excited about the opportunity of spending every minute we can between now and then to get him comfortable and allow him to play for us this Sunday,” O’Connell said, via Pro Football Talk. It's unclear who would start for the Vikings if Cousins does not play.
Carson Wentz struggled in the Vikings' 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. He went 8 of 25 passing for 81 yards and two interceptions. He was replaced by Max Brosmer, who went 6 of 7 for 58 yards in garbage time.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur didn't appear excited to have to face Cousins this week, saying it was "mind-blowing" the Raiders didn't get more in return for the veteran quarterback. LaFleur believes the Vikings will turn to Cousins on Sunday. Fairly confident in that.
Obviously, he’s got familiarity with their system. Even if he didn’t, he’s a really intelligent guy and I think he’s been playing at a high level.” Given the investment the Vikings made in Cousins, it would make sense for Minnesota to start him against Green Bay. The Chicago Bears are going into their bye this week leading the NFC North with a 7-2 record.
The Detroit Lions and Vikings are in second place with 6-2 records. The Packers are in last place with a 6-3 record. Via the tiebreaker they have with a win over the Bears in Week 2, the Vikings would overtake the Bears with a win over the Packers.
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