Vikings Welcome Kirk Cousins With 'Higher' and a New Starting Quarterback
Minnesota acquired the veteran signal caller from Las Vegas just before the deadline to replace Kyler Murray and stabilize a struggling offense.
By Alyssa Parker ·
Right tackle Brian O'Neill heard the opening notes of Creed's "Higher" blaring from the outdoor speakers at the Vikings training facility in Eagan, Minn., on Thursday morning. The song, which served as Kirk Cousins' personal anthem during the 2023 season, drew knowing smirks from the players and coaches present for the first full practice day of the veteran quarterback's tenure with the organization.
Cousins arrived in Minnesota hours before the Tuesday trade deadline, when the Vikings acquired him from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick. He spent Wednesday in meetings with head coach Kevin O'Connell and other staff members. O'Connell skipped a practice session that day to allow the roster an extra recovery day following a 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night.
The move replaces Kyler Murray as the starter for the 6-2 Vikings, who are currently fighting a two-game losing streak. The team hopes the addition elevates their passing attack, a goal that hinges heavily on the connection between Cousins and wide receiver Justin Jefferson. In 2022, the last full season the two played together, Jefferson won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award with career highs of 128 catches and 1,809 receiving yards.
Jefferson said his initial reaction to the trade was to recall the volume of their previous partnership. However, he noted on Thursday that he has not set specific expectations for their reunion. Through Week 9, Jefferson ranks 53rd in the NFL with 31 receptions and 34th in yards per game at 56.1 while playing with Murray for five starts and Carson Wentz for two.
"At this moment, it's really no expectations," Jefferson said. "It's really just going out there and just executing our plays. It's not really getting too juiced up about him being here or anybody being back there. It's just all about understanding the plays that are being called, understanding the jobs that we have and executing our responsibilities."
Jefferson credited Cousins with a deep understanding of defensive coverages and the timing windows required for his routes. The receiver noted that Cousins does not force the ball to him but lets the game flow. Jefferson observed that Cousins was vocal from the start of practice, ensuring every player heard the calls and route notes.
"He's being vocal," Jefferson said, "just making sure that everybody hears the plays that he's talking about and the notes that he has for certain routes, certain plays. And he's just making sure that everybody's on the same page. So it's definitely cool to hear that type of leadership and command."
O'Neill noted that familiar habits returned immediately. He described seeing Cousins take a knee in the huddle and using hand gestures to communicate, a routine that felt comforting after a brief separation. O'Neill said the intensity and cadence of Cousins' voice remained unchanged.
Rookie safety Jakobe Thomas also adjusted his roster status to accommodate the new arrival. The safety gave up his number 8 jersey without request, stating his goal was simply for Cousins to help the team win games.
