Kirk Cousins receives classy gesture from new Vikings teammate

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Kirk Cousins receives classy gesture from new Vikings teammate

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Nov 14, 2026 6:03 PM ET

Kirk Cousins was the recipient of a classy gesture from one of his new teammates after being traded to the Minnesota Vikings this week.

The veteran quarterback sought to wear his traditional No. 8 after being dealt to the Vikings, though the number was already being worn by rookie safety Jakobe Thomas. Under normal circumstances, it would be typical for Cousins to offer Thomas some sort of incentive, financial or otherwise, to part with the number.

Thomas, however, said there would be no cost. In his mind, he was simply returning the number to its “rightful owner,” and gave it up for free.

“I just need him to come here and win games,” Thomas said. “A lot of fans have his jersey anyway, so they could pull him out of the closet and put him back on.”

Jakobe Thomas said he got a text from Kirk Cousins about No. 8 yesterday, and gave Cousins the number back with no negotiations. “No money needed,” Thomas said. “I just need him to come here and win games. A lot of fans have his jersey anyway, so they could pull him out of the closet and put him back on. So that’s all it is. Kirko’s got a lot more memories and history in that number than I do, and it’s rightfully his. So I just gave it back to his rightful owner.”
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) November 12, 2026

Some players are willing to give up a lot to get what they see as their number. Thomas was in a pretty solid negotiating position, so for him to give it up without asking anything in return is a very magnanimous gesture.

Cousins joins a Vikings team that sits at 6-2 despite middling quarterback play. If he gets them wins, everyone will benefit, Thomas included.

More must-reads: