It might as well have been part of a movie script, as Kirk Cousins' first start back with the Minnesota Vikings after they acquired him in a trade less than a week ago was against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in the same stadium where he tore his Achilles in 2023.
Cousins left Lambeau Field on a medical cart in 2023, but on Sunday, he walked off the field with both Achilles intact and a gigantic smile on his face after leading the Vikings to a commanding 30-10 win over the Packers.
After the victory, Cousins fought back tears while talking about his first game in Lambeau since tearing his Achilles in 2023 during an interview with ESPN's Lindsey Thiry.
An emotional Kirk Cousins, in his return to the Vikings at Lambeau Field: “I tore my Achilles here and it’s been a tough three years…” pic.twitter.com/8PhbEVs7Oq
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) November 15, 2026
"It was emotional, coming to this stadium [after], three years ago, tearing my Achilles here, and um... It's been a tough three years.
[I'm] just grateful for the opportunity to play here today and grateful for my teammates and what they did today to make this outcome possible."
Kirk Cousins admits he has "a lot of gratitude" to be back with the Vikings
After spending six straight years in a row as a member of Minnesota's roster, Cousins spent the last two and a half seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders.
The veteran quarterback experienced a lot of ups and downs during his time elsewhere, and at the podium after Sunday's victory, he expressed how happy he is to be back with the Vikings.
"Football's an emotional game and my football journey goes way back. There's been highs and lows and there's more to the story to write up ahead, but the last three years since being here have been a tough three years.
[I have] a lot of gratitude right now for being with this group."
Speaking of gratitude, no position group on Minnesota's current roster was likely happier to have Cousins back under center on Sunday than the team's wide receivers.
Vikings receivers, led by Justin Jefferson, accounted for 76 percent of Cousins's completions against the Packers. Jefferson hauled in nine passes for 74 yards, Myles Price pitched in with four catches for 49 yards and a touchdown, and Tai Felton pitched in with three catches for 33 yards.
Just imagine how much better Minnesota's passing attack could be once Jordan Addison returns from the thumb injury that kept him out of Sunday's game.
The possibilities currently feel endless with Cousins back as the Vikings' starting quarterback, and that's not something anyone could even dream of just a few days ago.
Add us as a preferred source on Google