USA TODAY International Edition
Vikings’ Cousins earns break from scrutiny
That’ll fix things – for a couple of days, at least.
As he entered Sunday’s game against the Giants, Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins owned the distinction of being the most heavily scrutinized and criticized man in the NFL. His poor play through the first four weeks of the season represented a continued failure to live up to the three- year, $ 84 million contract he signed in 2018. His struggles had only further ignited unrest within the Vikings’ locker room and fan base.
Cousins had gone to great lengths this past week to convey he understood the reasons for the frustrations.
But nothing he could have said – not privately to wide receiver Adam Thielen, who had called him out for missing open receivers in last week’s loss to Chicago, not publicly, as Cousins chose to do by issuing an apology to Thielen on a joint radio appearance in Minnesota on Tuesday could have fixed things for the quarterback.
When you’re paid as handsomely as Cousins, it’s all about actions. So as he completed 22 of 27 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns while his team picked up a needed 28- 10 victory over the Giants on Sunday, Cousins bought himself at least a temporary reprieve.
After Thielen caught seven passes for 130 yards and both touchdowns, his frustrations might have dissipated for the time being as Minnesota improved to 3- 2. However, the Vikings still need more.
The previously 2- 2 Giants hardly represent the types of teams Cousins and the Vikings have struggled to defeat since their union a year and a half ago. The Vikings saw the quarterback as the missing piece who would help make them Super Bowl contenders. But they have regressed since moving on from Case Keenum in favor of Cousins, who is 4- 27 for his career against teams with winning records. Since signing with Minnesota, he’s 0- 6- 1 on the road against winning teams.
All Cousins could worry about for this week was the Giants, though. He certainly needed Sunday’s outing.
For much of this season, a lack of confidence and aggression have seemingly paralyzed Cousins. He routinely seemed content to settle for checkdown throws on crucial downs.
But Cousins displayed greater trust Sunday in his receivers, particularly Thielen. He put the ball in the air and gave them the opportunities to make plays. For only the second time this season, Cousins avoided turning the ball over. And for the first time this season, he topped the 300- yard passing mark while completing a season- high 81% of his passes.
For this week, Cousins showed that he gets it.
It matters not whether you believe his apology to Thielen represented a move of weakness, as some of Cousins’ critics did. It’s true that Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers wouldn’t make the same public statement Cousins did after his top wide receiver broke locker room protocol by criticizing his quarterback and play- caller.
But publicly accepting the blame is not a new move for Cousins. It’s what he does. Dating to his days in Washington, when he took over for Robert Griffin III, who tended to alienate teammates by not demonstrating accountability, Cousins has always gone out of his way to turn attention to his own deficiencies after losses.
Scolding Thielen, whether privately or publicly, would have only further fueled a rift given the way Cousins had played. Declining to comment on the matter when asked about it publicly would have only sparked additional criticism that he wasn’t taking responsibility for his poor play.
So he took it on the chin and then did everything he could to redeem himself this week.
But to truly bring lasting peace to the Vikings’ locker room, Cousins has to replicate Sunday’s performance. He must beat a hot Eagles team next Sunday at home and then go on the road to Detroit the following week and lead the Vikings to their first NFC North victory this season.
If he’s unsuccessful, however, Sunday’s performance and Tuesday’s apology will ring hollow. The career- long knock that Cousins is unable to win the games that really count will only continue. And the Vikings’ buyer’s remorse will only intensify.