The NFL trade deadline has passed, and the news did not disappoint. Unless you have Jonathan Taylor, you might be disappointed. At least we have signs of life for other fantasy-relevant players.
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Viking
Trade: The Raiders are trading QB Kirk Cousins to the Vikings, per @rapsheet and me. https://t.co/7Hxjt6TyR5
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2026
2026 has been a year of reunions. Aaron Donald to the Rams. Deebo Samuel Sr. to the 49ers. Zach Ertz to the Eagles. Austin Hooper to the Falcons. Odell Beckham Jr. to the Giants.
Cousins is among them.
Cousins currently ranks 5th in passing yards with 2,340 and 2nd in touchdowns with 20. He returns to the Vikings, where his 23,265 yards are the 3rd most in team history and his 171 touchdown passes rank 2nd.
Outside the heartwarming story, we care most about Cousins’ impact on Justin Jefferson. They spent Jefferson’s first four seasons together; during that time, Jefferson averaged 98 receptions, 1,475 yards, and 7.5 touchdowns. He posted his best season in 2022, with 128 receptions and 1,809 yards.
The Vikings have a great playoff schedule, facing Detroit, Washington, and the Jets; all three rank in the bottom half in pass-defense EPA. Cousins has supported Brock Bowers to the overall TE2 so far, giving hope that we will see Jefferson return to his previous elite level.
Fernando Mendoza, Newton’s Third Law
H15 time. Fernando Mendoza has been named starting quarterback. https://t.co/42BFOczZcG
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 10, 2026
If Cousins is no longer the Raiders' starting quarterback. Someone else has to be. Fortunately, the Raiders are not going with Aiden O’Connell. The Mendoza Era begins.
Mendoza went 6-for-8 for 48 yards in mop-up duty against New England in Week 5, in his only action. It’s worth noting, he inherits a 4-5 team, though the Raiders are just one game out of the wild card and the rookie of the year race is wide open.
The 49ers: Active Leaders In Everything
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