When Kirk Cousins returned to the Minnesota Vikings in a trade on Tuesday, one question came up almost immediately: would he get his old No. 8 jersey back? His role as the team’s starting quarterback was expected. The number was less certain.
Cousins wore No. 8 during his previous six seasons in Minnesota, before leaving in 2025. Rookie safety Jakobe Thomas had taken the number this year, so Cousins said he planned to speak with him about it.
“I’m confident that Jakobe and I can have a healthy, mature conversation and figure this out,” Cousins told reporters Wednesday.
Cousins followed up with a text to Thomas that morning. By Thursday’s practice, Cousins was wearing No. 8, while Thomas had switched to No. 6. But Thomas said there was no negotiation or payment involved: he simply gave Cousins the number.
“He’s got more memories with the number than I do, and it’s his number right now,” Thomas said. “He’s got more of a reputation than I do, so let’s just give it up.”
Thomas added that he didn’t want money in return. He just wanted Cousins to come in and win games, he said, adding that the number was rightfully Cousins’.
No one would have blamed Thomas for asking for something in exchange. Cousins, 38 and entering his 15th NFL season, has earned about $322 million over his career. Thomas, playing on his first NFL contract, is set to make $1.32 million this season.
Still, Thomas chose to hand over the number without asking for anything. That seems like a generous welcome for the Vikings’ returning quarterback.
