Will Kirk Cousins evolve under Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell?

The Minnesota Vikings are entering Year 1 with coach Kevin O’Connell, who’s prioritizing building a prosperous relationship with quarterback Kirk Cousins.

O’Connell, who was previously the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams and Cousins’ quarterbacks coach in 2017 with Washington, wants the veteran starter to take more ownership of the Vikings offense.

“I want him to feel as involved as he’s ever been in an offense and how we build it and how we’re going to try to attack opponents and I think that’s very, very important,” O’Connell said in an interview with Mad Dog Sports Radio. “If him and I are on the same page he can be an extension of me and vice versa. I can be an extension of him to our football team in a lot of ways that only enhance his ability to just authentically be himself, lead us and then just go play, because he’s a talented guy, man.”

Cousins, 34, is entering his fifth season as the Vikings’ quarterback. Thus far in Minnesota (2018-21), he has averaged 23.1 pass completions (eighth in NFL), 33.8 pass attempts (14th), 245.5 passing yards (12th), two passing touchdowns (fifth) and 0.6 interceptions (seventh) per game.

Cousins finished 2021 with 4,221 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 103.1 quarterback rating, completing 66.3% of his throws. Though he’s been durable and consistently productive, that hasn’t always translated to team success. The Vikings have missed the playoffs in three of four seasons with Cousins under center, including the past two. They went 8-9 last year, which led to the ouster of longtime coach Mike Zimmer.

In 2022, Cousins will also be working with his fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons – Wes Phillips, who served as the Rams’ pass game coordinator last year and has worked alongside O’Connell for four of the past five years. He was also Washington’s tight ends coach for five years, four of which included Cousins as the Commanders’ QB.

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While there was some chatter about Minnesota being open to trading Cousins when O’Connell arrived, the 34-year-old signal-caller ended up signing a one-year extension. It effectually gives him two years to win over his new coach and elevate the Vikings beyond their middling existence in the NFL. Cousins is certainly surrounded by the offensive weapons needed, between running back Dalvin Cook and wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.

“Ultimately, I think we’re building an offense that hopefully can not only put Kirk in a great position to have success in those moments, but our entire group out there in the huddle with him,” O’Connell said. “I feel like we’re off to a great start, but ultimately, Sundays are what matter and we’ve got to take all this preparation and positive momentum that we have and go do it.”

The Vikings open the 2022 season at home against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 11.