4 potential scapegoats if things go wrong for the Vikings in 2021

Kirk Cousins – QB

Let’s face it, Kirk Cousins is everybody’s favorite scapegoat, no matter how well he’s playing. This comes with the territory where quarterbacks are concerned, but the stigma surrounding the signal-caller is something that’s probably never going to leave him.

Cousins is coming off the best statistical season of his career and was absolutely sensational for the Vikings after their bye week. That did not stop him from bearing the brunt of the blame when the team missed out on playoff football.

Some sections of Minnesota’s fanbase made their minds up about Cousins long ago. Not even an All-Pro type of campaign would alter their perceptions at this juncture.

Unfair, to put it mildly.

Nobody knows this more than Cousins himself, who now has his potential successor waiting in the wings after the Vikings took former Texas A&M signal-caller Kellen Mond in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

If Cousins starts poorly, it won’t take long for calls to throw Mond into the mix. This is just absurd when one considers how much work the rookie has to do in pursuit of becoming a potential starter one day.

The Vikings are tied to Cousins for two more seasons, whether some like it or not. If Mond is ready to go in 2023 and the veteran regresses, then by all means, move on.

Until then, Minnesota’s chances of a deep playoff run lie squarely on Cousins’ shoulders. Considering the state of other teams’ options at the position, it could be a lot worse.