Former Vikings LB sounds off on Mike Zimmer-Kirk Cousins beef

Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ben Leber discussed the chasm between former coach Mike Zimmer and quarterback Kirk Cousins.

It’s no huge secret that Zimmer wasn’t a huge fan of Cousins, despite the fact he’s the franchise quarterback in Minnesota. However, it’s also true that Zimmer might not be a fan of quarterbacks in general — he never gave Kellen Mond the time of day, either.

In a recent appearance on CBS Sports Radio, Ben Leber made Zimmer’s reservations about Cousins public. Leber is a former linebacker in Minnesota, and now covers the team.

“I think he’s gonna finally thrive, really thrive, in a system and a coach that actually respects him,” Leber said. “I mean, It’s not like I’m not breaking news here that Mike Zimmer did not like Kirk Cousins. And I think that showed in the way that Kirk behaved and the way that he carried himself. The team was never given to him, or he was never allowed to earn the trust of the team because the head coach, I think, just didn’t like him.”

Vikings: Mike Zimmer didn’t like Kirk Cousins, period

Zimmer’s disdain for Cousins only grew when the quarterback revealed his intention to not be vaccinated against COVID-19 before last season. The head coach made it clear he did not agree with that decision.

“We could put this thing to bed if we’d all do this, but it is what it is,” Zimmer said.

Cousins stated at the time that he respected the public opinion, but was opting against the vaccine based on his own personal preference.

“I want to respect what other people’s concerns are. For me personally, just talking no one else can get the virus, what is your concern if you could get it, I would say I’m gonna go about my daily life. If I get it, I’m gonna ride it out. I’m gonna let nature do its course. Survival-of-the-fittest kind of approach. And just say, if it knocks me out, it knocks me out. I’m going to be OK. You know, even if I die. If I die, I die. I kind of have peace about that,” Cousins said.

If he dies, he dies. What an unforgettable quote.

For Zimmer, knowing his job was on the line and perhaps depended on a player like Cousins, that could not have helped matters.