7 tantalizing Kirk Cousins takeaways from Netflix’s ‘Quarterback'

Takeaway No. 7

Kirk Cousins gets in his own way

During his NFL career as a full-time starter, Kirk Cousins has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in the league.

So sometimes it's difficult to understand why Cousins' individual performance hasn't really translated to more success for the teams that he's played for.

"Quarterback" offered a bit of a glimpse into what might be holding Cousins back though, which is himself.

Because he doesn't have the strongest arm or an elite rushing ability, the Vikings quarterback prides himself on being as prepared as he possibly can for every situation that he could potentially face during a game.

Cousins has a bit of a perfectionist mentality, and sometimes, that attempt at perfection prevents him from taking more risks out on the field.

This mentality can also cause the quarterback to get overly frustrated at times during a game if things don't go according to plan. There were times during the docuseries when it seemed like Cousins let some of his mistakes get the best of him, and it resulted in him being quiet and dismissive of his teammates on the sidelines.

During parts of the 2022 season, it seemed like Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell was able to get through to Cousins and convince him to take more risks. But then there were also times in which the old Cousins would reappear, and fewer risks were taken.

Hopefully, O'Connell can continue to get his quarterback to come out of his shell and not be so concerned about making a mistake next season. Otherwise, the Vikings could decide to just find someone new who is more willing to throw the ball up to Justin Jefferson, even if he's double-covered, when the game is on the line.