Sources: Vikings made initial Cousins trade call before MNF meltdown

The first time the Vikings reached out to the Raiders about a potential trade for Kirk Cousins was midday Monday, hours before Minnesota played the Bills on "Monday Night Football," league sources told ESPN and NFL Network.

During that call, the Vikings made it clear to the Raiders that they wanted to see how Monday night went first before having any further conversations about Cousins, but they would be in touch if needed.

Bright and early the next morning, hours after Minnesota's offensive meltdown, the Vikings called the Raiders before 6 a.m. PT and set the wheels in motion for a potential Cousins trade.

It was not a deal the Raiders wanted or were looking to make, especially when…