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By Ellis Williams
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Safety Jakobe Thomas could have put a price on the number quarterback Kirk Cousins wanted. The Minnesota Vikings rookie didn’t ask for a dollar.
Thomas handed over No. 8 after a text from Cousins on Wednesday, giving the returning quarterback the jersey he wore during his first six seasons in Minnesota. The Vikings, who are 6-2, announced the switch Thursday. Thomas will wear No. 6.
“No money needed,” Thomas told reporters Thursday. “I just need him to come here and win games.”
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Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that the exchange required no negotiations. Thomas had another reason for making it easy on Cousins, too. Plenty of Vikings fans already owned the quarterback’s jersey. With Cousins back in his old number, those fans could wear it again without buying a replacement.
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Thomas also acknowledged how much more history Cousins had made in the uniform. The rookie considered the number the veteran’s to reclaim, rather than something he needed to sell.
Cousins wore No. 8 throughout his Vikings tenure from 2018 through 2023, making the number a familiar sight long before Thomas arrived. Minnesota confirmed his return to No. 8 a day after his introductory news conference.
The Vikings sent a 2027 third-round draft pick to Las Vegas before Tuesday’s trade deadline to bring the four-time Pro Bowler back. The Raiders were 4-5 when they made the deal. Cousins returned to a Minnesota team preparing for a division game with little time between the trade and its next kickoff.
Cousins threw for 2,340 yards and 20 touchdowns with eight interceptions in nine games for Las Vegas this season. He completed 202 of 315 attempts and posted a 97.1 passer rating before the trade. Minnesota is adding a quarterback who has been playing regularly, not trying to get a backup ready for his first extended action of the year.
The Vikings needed help at quarterback with Kyler Murray dealing with a hamstring injury and Carson Wentz struggling in Monday’s 23-6 loss to Buffalo. Cousins already knows head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense from their previous two seasons together, although his return still gives him only a few days to prepare with his new teammates.
For fans who kept their old jerseys, Sunday offers a chance to bring them back out. Minnesota visits the 6-3 Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field for a noon Central kickoff, the 133rd meeting between the rivals. Green Bay could move ahead of Minnesota in the win column with a victory.
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