Post by Funkytown on Nov 5, 2023 9:31:08 GMT -6
Cousins was having the best season of his career, ranking third in the NFL in passer rating (103.8) and second in passing yards (2,331). He had helped the team out of a 1-4 hole back to 4-4 -- even with Justin Jefferson, whose 21-day practice window can be opened this coming week, on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
O'Connell, in particular, has been outspoken about his quarterback.
"Kirk knows how I feel about him," the coach told reporters this week, "and that'll be something that will hopefully work itself out."
Free agency is in March, and Cousins won't be fully recovered by then, when physicals are usually conducted. Teams, however, should be able to attain enough information on his progress to know if Cousins is on track to return by training camp.
Cousins' surgery was conducted by Vikings doctor Chris Coetzee, who specializes in foot and ankle surgery, giving Minnesota more medical info than other teams. That should give the Vikings confidence to do a deal if that's the desired outcome, and it could also make it easier for a deal to get done around the time of free agency -- when they have exclusive negotiating rights.
No doubt, there will be QB-needy teams interested in one of the NFL's best -- even coming off major surgery. And no doubt, Cousins has earned the right to look around in free agency.
At the very least, a return to Minnesota should be considered a viable solution.
O'Connell, in particular, has been outspoken about his quarterback.
"Kirk knows how I feel about him," the coach told reporters this week, "and that'll be something that will hopefully work itself out."
Free agency is in March, and Cousins won't be fully recovered by then, when physicals are usually conducted. Teams, however, should be able to attain enough information on his progress to know if Cousins is on track to return by training camp.
Cousins' surgery was conducted by Vikings doctor Chris Coetzee, who specializes in foot and ankle surgery, giving Minnesota more medical info than other teams. That should give the Vikings confidence to do a deal if that's the desired outcome, and it could also make it easier for a deal to get done around the time of free agency -- when they have exclusive negotiating rights.
No doubt, there will be QB-needy teams interested in one of the NFL's best -- even coming off major surgery. And no doubt, Cousins has earned the right to look around in free agency.
At the very least, a return to Minnesota should be considered a viable solution.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah faced one of the biggest moments in his tenure as the Minnesota Vikings' general manager this week. Having lost his starting quarterback to a serious injury, he had 48 hours to decide whether to give up on the 2023 season and sell off roster assets at the NFL trade deadline.
So, Adofo-Mensah said on Wednesday that he retreated to his office and sought inspiration from the rock band Creed, a favorite band of quarterback Kirk Cousins.
A few steps down the hallway at the Vikings' training facility, coach Kevin O'Connell was wistfully and almost mournfully considering his on-field options at quarterback. He later acknowledged "coping" with not only that Cousins was having arguably his best NFL season before tearing his right Achilles tendon against the Green Bay Packers, but also "where we could have gone as a team" as a result. O'Connell ultimately tapped rookie Jaren Hall, at least for this Sunday at the Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox), but not before delivering some heartfelt and melancholy advice from his own playing career.
This was a week like no other in the history of the Vikings' franchise, a moment in time that clarified a deep connection to Cousins and cemented its insistence to always play what Adofo-Mensah called "meaningful games."
So, Adofo-Mensah said on Wednesday that he retreated to his office and sought inspiration from the rock band Creed, a favorite band of quarterback Kirk Cousins.
A few steps down the hallway at the Vikings' training facility, coach Kevin O'Connell was wistfully and almost mournfully considering his on-field options at quarterback. He later acknowledged "coping" with not only that Cousins was having arguably his best NFL season before tearing his right Achilles tendon against the Green Bay Packers, but also "where we could have gone as a team" as a result. O'Connell ultimately tapped rookie Jaren Hall, at least for this Sunday at the Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox), but not before delivering some heartfelt and melancholy advice from his own playing career.
This was a week like no other in the history of the Vikings' franchise, a moment in time that clarified a deep connection to Cousins and cemented its insistence to always play what Adofo-Mensah called "meaningful games."
...
O'Connell reminded reporters that "Kirk Cousins is going to be healthy again" and said "that will be something that will hopefully work itself out." Adofo-Mensah said that his discussions with Cousins this week included timetables for recovery, and Cousins' hope that he will be ready to participate in OTAs in late spring. Given the work Cousins does to maintain his physical condition, Adofo-Mensah said, "I don't think he's a normal 35-year-old person in that regard."
Adofo-Mensah also questioned whether an Achilles injury would truly "impact his game and his particular skill set," given Cousins' general aversion to scrambling from the pocket, and added: "Like I said when we broke off talks the first time, every option was still available to Kirk. And coming back was one of the really good options we had. ... All options are open as they were before the injury."
Adofo-Mensah also questioned whether an Achilles injury would truly "impact his game and his particular skill set," given Cousins' general aversion to scrambling from the pocket, and added: "Like I said when we broke off talks the first time, every option was still available to Kirk. And coming back was one of the really good options we had. ... All options are open as they were before the injury."
... and neither is this Chris guy.