Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings have mutually benefited from one another over the last few years. The veteran quarterback brought his talents to Minnesota after starting his career in Washington and has provided the Vikings with the stability they had been searching for at the position.
Fast forward to the present day, with Cousins now rehabbing from a torn Achilles injury and being a free agent once the new league year begins, there seems to be some uncertainty on where he’ll play football next. However, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has made it very clear where he stands with Cousins and his future.
Kevin O’Connell Wants Kirk Cousins Back in Minnesota
As the entire NFL world convenes on the NFL Combine this week, coaches and front offices alike are getting a chance to speak with the media ahead of the week’s events to provide insight into their and the team’s thoughts as the offseason gets going.
O’Connell met with a collective group of media and when asked about Cousins and his plans, the Vikings head coach did not mince words with what he wants for Minnesota and the veteran QB in the future.
“I think Kirk Cousins wants to be a Viking, and we’re gonna work to make that happen.”
O’Connell elaborated further and talked about how he envisions the team plus how Cousins fits into the grand scheme for the franchise going forward.
“I think anytime you go into situations like this, it is a negotiation, and we’re trying to come to an agreement that works for both sides, as we not only build our football team for 2024, but we’re trying to do some things to help us sustain for the future as well.
“I feel like we’re heading toward a good place with Kirk, but like we’ve seen, free agency and the uncertainties for this time of year, you’ve got to be ready in a leadership role to have contingency plans and adjust on the fly.
“We come here two years, and Kirk was a huge reason why,” O’Connell continued. “I thought so highly amongst a lot of things about the Minnesota Vikings’ opportunities because of my belief of him.
“We’ve won a lot of games over these two years with Kirk as our quarterback and thought he was playing as well as anybody in the National Football League when he got hurt after beating the Packers at Lambeau last year.
“To have that happen was a big deal for me personally and much beyond just my role of coaching the team. But it’s been awesome to see him through his rehab and where he’s at now, really getting right back up on his feet and attacking this thing.”
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O’Connell thinks highly of not only Cousins the football player, but Cousins the person as well. Even with Cousins dealing with a serious injury, he’s hoping to be back for the season.
O’Connell is unwavering in his support for the QB and knows who he wants to lead his team into the future.
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