As the Vikings move forward from Mike Zimmer’s tenure, new information has been revealed about the coach’s fraught relationship with Kirk Cousins.
According to a report from The Athletic, Zimmer “complained openly in coaching meetings about Cousins” during the 2021 season. In addition, the report claimed that many members of the coaching staff agreed with Zimmer.
Zimmer reportedly thought the quarterback was not a strong leader, did not make enough game-winning plays and didn’t take enough risks on the field.
The latter points were publicly discussed by Zimmer during the 2021 season. After Cousins said he was too aggressive during a November triumph over the Packers, Zimmer told the Pioneer Press “I want [Cousins] to keep doing it like he’s doing it.”
Cousins later said he would listen to Zimmer.
“When they want to call aggressive plays and tell me to take the ball down the field, I will. When they don’t, I won’t,” he told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Reportedly there were tensions between Mike Zimmer and Kirk Cousins. APThe 33-year-old often struggled as a playmaker and did not get the job done in high-pressure scenarios that required him to improvise. In the four years since Cousins joined the Vikings, he led them to the playoffs just once; in his decade in the NFL, the quarterback has only one postseason win to his name (though it was with Minnesota).
Both Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman were fired in January after eight seasons with the franchise.
New Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell previously worked with Cousins in Washington, and all indications are that the QB will be retained this upcoming season. However, the Michigan State product’s contract will be up after the 2022 season.
