CBS Sports Personality Says Kirk Cousins “Days Are Numbered”
Dustin Baker
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The Minnesota Vikings concocted a nifty trade on night #1 of the 2021 NFL Draft, enabling the team to accrue three draft picks for the price of one (and the 143rd overall pick). The transaction netted general manager Rick Spielman offensive linemen Christian Darrisaw and Wyatt Davis — two potential stalwart pieces that could solve an ever-fledging Vikings offensive line.
The trade also allowed Spielman to draft Kellen Mond in the 3rd Round, a quarterback that will likely get a chance to start in the NFL down the line.
According to CBS Sports’ Adam Schein, though, the Mond Era in the North Star State will begin sooner than most Vikings brains might expect. On his talk show Time to Schein, the CBS analyst said the following:
Schein is either unaware of Cousins’ current contract with the Vikings — it spans two more years — or he flat-out doesn’t care. And Cousins’ contract isn’t a puny thing that can be swept under the rug. The Michigan State alumnus carries a cap hit of $76 million over the next two seasons.
While Mond is an incredibly exciting possibility to contemplate — especially for the crowd that tirelessly yearns for a mobile quarterback — he is still considered somewhat raw in terms of game readiness. Perhaps Mond could thrive in a pinch, but the plan, for now, is a Kellen Mond that plops down on the bench to fully acclimate to the NFL in a reservist role — akin to the way Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, or Lamar Jackson did it.
What’s more, Cousins is not a middling struggle merchant. Some fans erroneously consider his abilities underwhelming — and opinions are fine — but his numbers since joining the franchise are undeniable. Cousins became a Viking in 2018, and his passer rating of 103.6 over three seasons ranks as seventh-best in the league. That mark tops the likes of Tom Brady, Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott, and Ben Roethlisberger. Too, Cousins’ 91 touchdowns passes since the start of 2018 are the fifth-most leaguewide.
Still, some fans cannot stomach the man and the contract he commands. A virus seems to permeate the brains of Vikings fans — one that is discontented with quarterbacks that remain for longer than two or three seasons. It’s always “on to the next the one” for a small sect of purple and gold enthusiasts.
When Cousins starts Week 1 this September, he will be the first Vikings QB to start in Week 1 for four consecutive seasons — in 30 years. The last man to do it was Wade Wilson from 1987 to 1991.
Indeed, the prospect of Mond leading a huddle in Minnesota is scintillating, but the Aggie is probably a year or two from getting his opportunity. If he does play in 2021, it will mean that Cousins’ aptitudes went cliff-diving or the soon-to-be 33-year-old finally succumbed to injury. Cousins has never missed a professional football game because of injury.
As for “his days are numbered,” well, every NFL player is on the clock. The sport is violent and no one outside of Tom Brady plays forever.