Why the Vikings should wait on a Kirk Cousins extension
By Dean Jones
Cousins’ production in Minnesota
Kirk Cousins’ production with the Vikings has been largely impressive during the two years he has been with the franchise.
The high-profile free-agent signing broke the 4,000-yard passing barrier in his first season with Minnesota on his way to 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also completed 70.1 percent of his passes and started all 16 games in year one with the Vikings.
Cousins did fumble the ball five times in 2018 and he was sacked on 40 occasions as the Minnesota offensive line struggled significantly. He was protected far better in 2019, which played a leading role in the team’s return to the postseason.
Cousins also had the benefit of a healthy running back in Dalvin Cook last season. Cook emerged as one of the brightest prospects in any NFL backfield and it allowed Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski to utilize play-action with superb success.
With the tools available to Cousins, big numbers are expected. Although he and Minnesota eventually fell short in the divisional round of the playoffs last season, there is plenty of cause for encouragement due to the quarterback’s previous production.
There will be an added sense of urgency for Cousins in 2020 if he does not get a new deal from the Vikings this offseason. This urgency has the potential to take his game to new heights providing the front office makes improvements to the interior of the offensive line this year.
However, it may also cause Cousins to focus on other matters that may have an adverse effect on his overall production.