NFC North: 5 things to look for in 2018

By Cody Rivera | Aug 20, 2018

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after a first quarter touchdown pass to wide receiver Stefon Diggs #14 against the Denver Broncos during an NFL preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 11: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings drops back to pass in the first quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos during an NFL preseason game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 11, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

1. Will Minnesota’s gamble on Kirk Cousins pay off?

Last year, the Vikings came just one game short of reaching the Super Bowl, and that was with Case Keenum at quarterback. Heading into 2018, they were looking at three QB options: Keenum, Sam Bradford, or Teddy Bridgewater.

They decided go with none of the above, and instead, threw $84 million at former Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins with the hope that he can get them over the hump and win them a Super Bowl.

But here’s the $84 million-dollar question? Is Cousins really worth $84 million?

Cousins is a polarizing quarterback, and Redskins fans can probably vouch for that. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by Washington, who intended for him to be the backup QB for No. 2 overall pick Robert Griffin III, Cousins eventually stole the starting job from Griffin after his career in Washington flamed out.

Cousins spent three years as Washington’s starter from 2015-17, and while he’s put up fairly impressive stats, he went just 24-24-1 in that span. He only got the Redskins to the playoffs in one of those three seasons.

Next. 5 things to look for in the AFC North in 2018. dark

The Vikings have a tendency to overpay for so-so quarterbacks, as they gave up a first-round draft pick for Sam Bradford before the 2016 season, and now they are breaking the bank for Cousins. It’s a Super Bowl-or-bust season for Minnesota, and if they are able to win a championship, then Cousins will have been worth every penny of that enormous contract.

But Cousins has yet to prove that he’s capable of coming up big when it truly matters. As the $84 million-dollar man, he now has no choice but to do just that for the Vikings this season.