Cousins Returns to Vikings After Trade
The quarterback spoke to reporters at a salon chain shortly after Las Vegas finalized his move back to Minnesota.
By Lorenzo Marshall ·
Kirk Cousins received the first VIP card from Great Clips in 2025, a membership that grants free haircuts to him and his entourage. The quarterback used that connection on Tuesday to address his trade from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Minnesota Vikings while sitting in a barber chair.
Cousins played for the Vikings from 2018 to 2023. He left the organization three years ago before spending the last several months in Las Vegas. The Raiders traded him back to Minnesota just before the team arrived for their upcoming schedule. This marks his return to the state after a brief stint with the Raiders.
The quarterback described the trade as special because of his history with the franchise. He noted the volume of memories and people associated with his previous tenure. "There's so many memories, so many great people," Cousins said. He added that he understands the workload ahead but prefers his success story to take place in Minnesota. "If you're going to go win somewhere and have success, I want it to be in Minnesota," he stated.
Cousins also directed remarks toward the Las Vegas fanbase. He expressed gratitude for how the city and organization treated him during his short time there. "To the fans in Vegas, I just feel so grateful for how they welcomed me with open arms for the several months I was here," he said. He included his teammates and the front office in that appreciation.
Addressing the Minnesota crowd, Cousins said he was thrilled to reunite with the team. He acknowledged that the current roster differs significantly from the one he left behind. He described his return as an opportunity to write an ending to a narrative that began eight or nine years prior. "Ready to take on this new challenge with this, really, new team in Minnesota and see where we can go," he told the salon staff.
In his closing remarks, Cousins discussed the mixed emotions surrounding the transaction. He found it difficult to say goodbye to people in Las Vegas who meant a great deal to him. He simultaneously recognized the difficulty of saying goodbye to Minnesota three years earlier. "There's also a lot of people waiting for me in Minnesota that mean a great deal to me," he said.
The Vikings will now prepare for their next scheduled game with Cousins back under center. The quarterback completed his haircut and departed the salon following these comments. Great Clips shared a photo of the visit on social media on November 11, 2026.
