4 observations from Kirk Cousins’ dismal performance vs. the Cowboys

Cousins falling short of the elite category

As stated previously, this was a real opportunity for Kirk Cousins to prove beyond all doubt he should be classed as one of the elite quarterbacks. In the face of this, he didn’t come up with the goods and perhaps never will.

Cousins does just enough to convince everybody that he’s close to or at this sort of standard. His statistics also support this notion since he arrived in free agency from the Washington Football Team.

However, this is the latest in a long line of examples where Cousins has flattered to deceive on the biggest stage of all against a team that is expected to go very deep in the playoffs.

Just how much longer this is going to go on remains to be seen.

There is now a sense of resignation that this is going to be Mike Zimmer’s final year as Minnesota Vikings head coach. If a new regime comes in then Cousins might also be surplus to requirements heading into the final year of his deal.

Should the organization go in this direction, they’ll need to find a trade partner willing to take on Cousins and his extortionate $45 million salary cap hit. Not exactly the easiest proposition.

Cousins has been under center long enough to conclude he’s only going to take the Vikings so far. If those in power decide to press the reset button with Zimmer, then it could be the first of many dominoes to fall this offseason.

There is a glimmer of hope remaining. But this was a golden opportunity and Cousins choked.