Kirk Cousins Makes List of 10 Most Underrated NFL Players
Vikings QB Kirk Cousins is one of the most polarizing presences in the NFL, and everyone has an opinion on him whether it be good or bad.
Last season, Cousins was able to dodge many critics by leading eight 4th quarter comebacks and helping the Vikings to a 13-4 record and NFC North title.
Now, heading into the 2023 season, the Vikings are hoping their QB can replicate his 2022 season while providing him with a better defensive group. However, following that Wild Card loss to the New York Giants, many of the same criticisms of Cousins caming roaring back to the forefront.
Ross Tucker of The 33rd Team recently wrote a list of the 10 most underrated NFL players prior to the 2023 season, and his list includes Cousins. Here is what the former NFL offensive lineman had to say of the Vikings QB:
In a society where some think you are either elite or you stink, Cousins has been incredibly consistent. During the past eight years since he became the starter in Washington, Cousins hasn’t missed a single game with an injury and has provided top-15 quarterback play.
Do you know how many franchises would sign up right now to get top-10 or top-15 quarterback play every week for the next eight years?
There is something to be said of Cousins’ consistency as a quarterback throughout his NFL career. Since becoming a starter in 2015, the QB has passed for at least 3500 yards and 25 TDs in each of the past eight seasons. This is the longest such current streak in the NFL, and it is the fifth-longest streak in NFL history behind only Peyton Manning (13), Drew Brees (11), Phillip Rivers (11), and Tom Brady (10).
While Cousins may not have the talent with either his arm or legs to approach the elite QB talents in the league, he has been an above average quarterback throughout his starting career.
Heading into Cousins’ age-35 season, some uncertainty exists around his future status, though. For the first time in his Vikings career, the quarterback is heading into the final year of his contract. Next spring, he is slated to hit free agency, and Minnesota will have a difficult decision on their hands.
The decision will likely come down to whether or not the Vikings can replicate the same success that they had last season. If they fall down the standings and miss out on a playoff spot, it feels very likely that they will try to target a young QB early in the first round of the draft.
That being said, the Vikings offense proved to be the backbone of their success in 2022, so hopefully with an improved defensive scheme, Minnesota can replicate the same success this upcoming season.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
