Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins recently talked about what his role will be in helping with the development of the team’s rookie passer, Kellen Mond.
Even though the Minnesota Vikings didn’t select a quarterback in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, they still added one early enough in the draft to cause others to think that Kirk Cousins could be close to reaching the end of his tenure with the franchise.
Last month, Kellen Mond became just the second quarterback drafted by the Vikings in the first three rounds since Rick Spielman took over as the team’s general manager in 2012.
Cousins will be Minnesota’s starting signal-caller for the upcoming season. But beyond that is really anyone’s guess.
Will Kirk Cousins help the Minnesota Vikings develop Kellen Mond?
Since the Vikings drafted Mond last month, we haven’t really heard how Cousins felt about the selection. But on Wednesday, we were able to get a better idea when the Minnesota quarterback answered some questions in a virtual press conference with the local Twin Cities media.
During the press conference, Cousins shared what approach he’s going to take when it comes to helping out with the development of Mond and the Vikings’ other young quarterbacks.
"“You’re an open book, you’re helpful, you’re there, and [you] make yourself available. I had Rex Grossman when I was a rookie. It was great to be able to learn from him and he was a big part of my early development as a football player. I really took every word that he said to heart because I had felt like he had been there, he had done that, he knew what it should look like, and I hung on his every word.So I’ve been there and want to certainly be that same resource whenever possible.”"
We all know Cousins is not a Hall of Fame-level quarterback. But he’s now entering his 10th season in the NFL and he has a lot to offer young passers when it comes to teaching them how to at least last in the league for more than a few years.
Not everyone is always willing to help out someone who could potentially take their job. But Cousins realizes this is just part of the natural roster progression that just about every professional sports team deals with and he’s going to do what he can to help out the organization that is currently signing his checks.
Cousins choosing this method as opposed to not offering Mond any pointers is also a good way to avoid creating any unnecessary drama while Minnesota is preparing for the upcoming 2021 season.
The Vikings veteran starter should be able to give Mond a lot of guidance during his rookie season. But hopefully, Cousins doesn’t try to teach the rookie any of his dance moves that remind everyone of an embarrassing dad.