Kirk Cousins Expected to Start for Vikings at Packers on Sunday as LaFleur Says 'He'll Be Out There'

Lambeau Field covered in snow on game day

Kirk Cousins is expected to start for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, just five days after the Vikings reacquired him in a trade deadline blockbuster. The 6-2 Vikings visit the 6-3 Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET on FOX, and all signs point to Cousins being under center in the same building where his first Vikings tenure ended.

The Short Answer

Kirk Cousins is expected to start for the Minnesota Vikings at the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Cousins is expected to start, and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said, "Yeah, he'll be out there. He'll be starting. Fairly confident in that." Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has stopped short of a full commitment, saying it is "too early to commit wholeheartedly" but that the team is working toward Cousins playing Sunday. Green Bay is a 3.5-point home favorite.

Back to Lambeau, Where It Ended Last Time

The storyline writes itself. Cousins' last game as a Viking came at Lambeau Field on October 29, 2023, when he tore his right Achilles tendon — an injury that ended his season and, it seemed at the time, his Minnesota career. He left for Atlanta after that season, then signed with Las Vegas as a free agent this past offseason. Now, three years later, his first game back in purple and gold could come in the very same stadium.

Cousins started all nine games for the Raiders this season, completing 64.1 percent of his passes for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 97.1 passer rating. ESPN's stats had him ranked 12th in the NFL among qualified players with a 62.8 adjusted QBR as of Wednesday. The Raiders were 4-5 with him as the starter. His most recent outing was a Week 9 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, in which he completed 22 of 32 passes for 216 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, while adding a rushing score.

Why Minnesota Made the Move

The Vikings acted fast after Monday Night Football exposed their quarterback problem. Minnesota lost 23-6 to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, with Carson Wentz completing just 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards and two interceptions. Starting quarterback Kyler Murray missed the game with a grade 2 hamstring injury and remains week-to-week, and Wentz's performance left the Vikings with no choice but to upgrade.

On Tuesday, November 10, the Vikings sent a 2027 third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for Cousins, reuniting the 38-year-old veteran with head coach Kevin O'Connell. Cousins spent two seasons in O'Connell's system during his first Minnesota stint, which should help him reacclimate quickly despite having only a handful of days with the team. Raiders general manager John Spytek asked Cousins whether he wanted to stay or be traded back to the Vikings, and the 15-year veteran preferred a return to the Twin Cities. Rookie Fernando Mendoza is now the Raiders' starter.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur admitted he was "shocked" the Vikings landed Cousins for only a third-round pick, and he made it clear Green Bay is preparing as if Cousins will start. The betting market agrees: the Vikings shifted from 4.5-point road underdogs to 3.5-point underdogs after the trade, and oddsmakers now price Cousins as the likely starter.

football players in a huddle on the field

O'Connell Leaves the Door Open — Slightly

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday afternoon, O'Connell left the door somewhat cracked for either Wentz or Max Brosmer to start over Cousins at Lambeau Field. "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. "That's what we're working towards, but also want to be fair to Kirk and make sure he feels good about it going to Lambeau Field."

O'Connell also shut down any talk of a quarterback competition with Murray, making it clear the job is Cousins' once he is ready. Wentz's availability for the Green Bay game may not be revealed before Friday at the earliest. Given the urgency with which the Vikings acted to bring Cousins back, it would be a surprise if the reacquired quarterback does not start against the Packers.

A Huge NFC North Showdown

This is a massive game for the NFC North. The 6-2 Vikings and the 6-3 Packers are both in the thick of the division race, and the Packers have won five of their last six games, including a 45-27 win over the New England Patriots in Week 9. A Vikings win on the road would give Minnesota a two-game cushion over Green Bay; a Packers win would pull them level in the loss column and hand them the season sweep in the division race.

FOX's No. 3 crew of Adam Amin, Drew Brees and Kristina Pink will call the game at Lambeau Field. For the full story of the trade that set this up, see our report on Kirk Cousins' return to the Vikings in the blockbuster trade deadline deal, and for the Packers' recent form, see the Packers' 45-27 win over the Patriots. You can also follow the latest NFL Week 10 news and scores as the weekend unfolds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kirk Cousins starting for the Vikings against the Packers?

Cousins is expected to start, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, and Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he is "fairly confident" Cousins will start. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell has not fully committed yet, saying it is "too early to commit wholeheartedly," but the team is working toward Cousins playing Sunday.

When do the Vikings play the Packers?

The Vikings visit the Packers on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET (12 p.m. CT) at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The game airs on FOX, with Adam Amin, Drew Brees and Kristina Pink on the call.

What did the Vikings give up for Kirk Cousins?

Minnesota sent a 2027 third-round draft pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for Cousins on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Cousins, 38, played for the Vikings from 2018 to 2023 before stints with Atlanta and Las Vegas.

Why did the Vikings trade for Cousins?

Starting quarterback Kyler Murray is out with a grade 2 hamstring injury, and backup Carson Wentz struggled badly in Monday night's 23-6 loss to Buffalo, completing 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards and two interceptions. Cousins gives the 6-2 Vikings a proven starter for the stretch run.

What are Cousins' stats this season?

With the Raiders in 2026, Cousins started all nine games, completing 64.1 percent of his passes for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions, with a 97.1 passer rating and a 62.8 adjusted QBR.

Who is favored in Vikings vs. Packers?

The Packers are 3.5-point home favorites at Lambeau Field. The line moved from 4.5 points to 3.5 after the Cousins trade, reflecting the market's expectation that he will start.

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