Baltimore,Su – May 4, 2025
In a jaw-dropping move, the Baltimore Ravens have acquired four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Minnesota Vikings in a blockbuster trade, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday. The deal, a bold stroke by Eric DeCosta, sends a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 fifth-rounder to Minnesota, securing a $150 million veteran to bolster Baltimore’s quarterback depth behind Lamar Jackson.
Cousins, 37, threw for 4,041 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 2024, guiding the Vikings to an 8-9 record despite a shaky offensive line. A 2012 fourth-round pick, his $180 million career earnings and clutch play outshone fading speculation about Aaron Rodgers. “He’s a proven leader who raises our floor,” John Harbaugh told The Athletic, noting Cousins’ fit as a high-caliber backup or potential competitor.
The Ravens, 12-5 in 2024, leaned on Jackson’s MVP-caliber play but went 4-9 without him since 2018, exposing their need for a reliable No. 2. Current backups Josh Johnson and Tyler Huntley lack Cousins’ pedigree. With a $45 million cap hit in 2025, per Spotrac, Cousins offers insurance against Jackson’s injury history, though his age and $62.5 million guaranteed through 2026 pose risks. DeCosta’s $17.1 million cap space, bolstered by restructuring Marlon Humphrey’s deal, made the trade feasible.
The Vikings, eyeing a rebuild around J.J. McCarthy, shed Cousins’ contract to gain draft capital. For Baltimore, the move complements signings like Joseph Noteboom and Dalton Risner, fortifying the offense. Cousins could mentor Jackson or spark a quarterback controversy, analysts say. “It’s a high-risk, high-reward gamble,” Jeff Zrebiec noted on NBC Sports.
