10 bold predictions for the 2022 Minnesota Vikings
By Chris Schad
Kirk Cousins will throw for 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns
Kirk Cousins stands to be one of the main beneficiaries of the Vikings’ new regime. Kevin O’Connell served as his quarterbacks coach during his final year with the Washington Commanders and that should give him a better relationship than the one he had with Mike Zimmer.
Some believe that if O’Connell can get Cousins to play with “a quiet mind,” it will lead to another level of statistical prowess. The reality is that less could be more in O’Connell’s new system.
Since arriving in Minnesota prior to the 2018 season, Cousins has thrown for at least 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in three of four seasons. In all three of those seasons, the Vikings have missed the playoffs. In the one season, he didn’t hit those milestones, he posted the highest quarterback rating (107.4) of his career and led the Vikings to the playoffs.
O’Connell isn’t going to demand more carries in order to suppress Cousins, but if O’Connell can find a way for Cousins to become more efficient, the Vikings’ passing attack should be better even if Cousins doesn’t put up monster numbers.