New Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell ‘expressed firm belief’ in Kirk Cousins

The Minnesota Vikings are on the verge of hiring Kevin O’Connell, which is good news for Kirk Cousins because the new head coach is “high” on the QB.

The Minnesota Vikings have replaced their general manager and are set to bring in a new head coach in Kevin O’Connell. Will the clean slate involve a new quarterback as well?

Early reports suggest Kirk Cousins isn’t entirely on the chopping block.

O’Connell still needs to be officially hired as head coach, but he is apparently “high” on the incumbent quarterback.

Kevin O’Connell has ‘firm belief’ in Kirk Cousins

“Soon-to-be Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell conveyed a firm belief in Kirk Cousins during the interview process, I’m told. He’s high on him,” Jeremy Fowler of ESPN tweeted. “The front office must decide on Cousins’ future due to his $45M cap hit, but many coaches interviewing for job liked Cousins, O’Connell included.”

Cousins is an interesting figure in 2022. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler, including a nod for 2021 after throwing for 4,221 yards and 33 touchdowns with just seven interceptions.

There’s no doubt he’s a decent NFL quarterback, one who would be an upgrade for many teams out there.

However, the jury is still out on whether he is a Super Bowl-caliber player. Despite his solid numbers, Cousins has a 59-59-2 record as a starter. He’s 1-2 in the playoffs.

A trade could get his sizable salary off the books but it would also bring uncertainty since finding an upgrade on him isn’t exactly assured.

Of course, it could just take a new coach to get something better out of Cousins. The relationship between the quarterback and former head coach Mike Zimmer, a defense-minded coach, didn’t seem particularly strong. Perhaps an offense-minded figure in charge will make a difference.

That’s for the Vikings and O’Connell to decide.