Will Adam Thielen be better or worse for the Vikings in 2019?

Another year with Kirk Cousins

It didn’t take long for Kirk Cousins and Adam Thielen to get on the same page a season ago. Cousins trusted his sure-handed target early in the year and they went on to have a very productive season together.

Thielen posted career bests in 2018, racking up 113 receptions for 1,373 yards and nine touchdowns. The bar is set very high and it will be difficult for Cousins and Thielen to match those stats again next season.

It is very possible that they will put up similar numbers again though, and the reason is just having another year of working together.

Cousins and Thielen will have another full offseason to get completely in sync with each other. They already have a great rapport, but they can take it to the next level in 2019.

Working together for another full offseason can allow these guys to begin anticipating what the other will do when a play breaks down. Consistent reps in practice and during preseason games will inform Cousins more about Thielen’s route-running habits and where the receiver may choose to go in certain situations.

They can also get to the level where just a subtle nod or gesture on the line will be enough to let the other know what they are doing if a certain coverage shows itself. They can establish that sixth sense that some of the great quarterbacks have formed with their star receivers, like Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson or Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne.

It will be tough for Cousins and Thielen to pull off another huge season in 2019, but consistent reps can take them to another level and actually make it a real possibility.