6 reasons to be excited about the 2019 Minnesota Vikings

Kirk Cousins in year two

Another reason Vikings fans should be excited about the 2019 season is that Kirk Cousins is in year two. This may not seem like a big deal on the surface, but it is huge.

Cousins has had another full offseason to work with his playmakers. He clearly had strong rapports with Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, and Kyle Rudolph in 2018. Cousins can take those bonds to the next level in year two.

He should be better at anticipating and predicting what his pass catchers will be doing this season. Cousins can throw the ball to where he knows his target will be and not have to guess what a guy may do in a certain situation. Both parties will get so familiar with each other, it will be like a sixth sense.

Cousins also will be playing the NFC North for the second time meaning he should be more familiar with the defensive players for the Packers, Bears, and Lions. In year two, he can anticipate what someone like Chicago linebacker Khalil Mack may do when he’s lined up in a certain way and recall how fast and explosive he truly is. Cousins can also recognize and remember a certain defender’s weaknesses and look to exploit them.

This will be year one-and-a-half in Kevin Stefanski’s offensive system for the Vikings quarterback. While it may not be exactly the same as a season ago, Cousins should at least have a pretty good understanding of Stefanski’s play-calling and how he wants his offense to be run.

All these factors should lead for a big season for No. 8 and one that should have Minnesota fans cheering for joy and slamming many celebratory beers.