Improve Cousins’ release time
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins had a superb year statistically in 2019 that eventually ended with the same questions arising regarding his ability to win on the big stage.
He did get the playoff monkey off his back with a memorable first-round win over the New Orleans Saints. But his lack of mobility hampered him considerably in Minnesota’s second-round matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Having Cousins move out of the pocket is not something that is going to help in any way. He is not a willing runner and this would undoubtedly have a detrimental effect on his accuracy.
One thing Gary Kubiak can do is come up with plays that enable Cousins to release the ball quicker against formidable defensive lines. If the Vikings do not come up with the right solution to their interior protection during the offseason, this becomes even more crucial.
Having guys like Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith Jr., Stefon Diggs, and Adam Thielen can assist greatly. They can get open on crossing and slant routes to get those five to eight-yard gains that are essential for any quarterback to succeed.
It would also enable Cousins to fire the ball off quicker against imposing defenses, providing he doesn’t take too long to go through his progressions, which has been a concerning element of his play during his time in Minnesota.
This is something else that is sure to be a high priority for Kubiak heading into OTAs this spring.