yahoo
The Minnesota Vikings faced several roster decisions ahead of the trade deadline but chose to address only their most pressing need by acquiring quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2027 third-round selection.
With Cousins now on board, the Vikings have a condensed week to prepare for a crucial matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Reports indicate that Cousins will start, as Minnesota relies on his familiarity with head coach Kevin O'Connell's offensive system to ease his transition.
To accommodate Cousins on the 53-man roster, the Vikings made corresponding moves on Tuesday. The most notable was the release of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who had been active for the first time as a Viking in Monday's loss to the Buffalo Bills, playing just two snaps. However, Beckham was promptly re-signed to the practice squad, ensuring he remains within the organization.
NFL active rosters are limited to 53 players, and Beckham had occupied one of those spots after being signed before Monday Night Football. Despite not recording a catch for Minnesota, the 11-year veteran, who has appeared in over 120 games, could see similar roster shuffling in the coming weeks. Practice squad players can be elevated or signed to the active roster as needed.
Beckham joined the Vikings due to his belief in O'Connell's vision and the plan outlined for him. Now, with Cousins at quarterback, Beckham may have the opportunity to catch passes from the veteran signal-caller if and when he is active on game day.
The Cousins trade is still pending a physical. Additionally, the Vikings released both offensive linemen they had signed to the practice squad last week: guard CJ Hanson and tackle Corey Robinson II.
Key Analysis
The Vikings' decision to trade for Cousins signals a win-now approach, as they prioritize stability at quarterback over multiple smaller fixes. By keeping Beckham on the practice squad, Minnesota retains a veteran receiver who can contribute if needed, while maintaining roster flexibility. The pending physical for Cousins adds a layer of uncertainty, but the team appears confident in his ability to quickly adapt to O'Connell's system. The release of Hanson and Robinson underscores the front office's willingness to make tough cuts to optimize the roster.
Originally reported by yahoo.