Is Kirk Cousins a Dark Horse MVP Candidate?
Travis Lueder
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Depending who you ask you’ll get different answers, even amongst Vikings fans. Kirk continues to be one of the most polarizing players, not only within the Vikings fan base but around the league in general. Some fans like myself believe that he is an elite quarterback that doesn’t get enough credit, while others would consider him a check down artist that can’t win a big game.
Kirk might be having an MVP caliber season, yet he is still flying under the radar and largely shadowed by false narratives in the eyes of many. Through 10 games this season Kirk has thrown for 21 touchdowns while only throwing 2 interceptions and is on pace to eclipse 4500 passing yards for his first time as a Viking.
You might be thinking that Kirk’s stats aren’t strong enough to win MVP, but take a look at these 4 seasons below:
- QB1 – 4,381 Yds, 38 TDs, 5 INTs
- QB2 – 4,944 Yds, 38 TDs, 7 INTs
- QB3 – 4,577 Yds, 32 TDs, 8 INTs
- QB4 – 4,718 Yds, 36 TDs, 3 INTs
QB1 is 2014 Aaron Rodgers MVP, QB2 is 2016 Matt Ryan MVP, QB3 is 2017 Tom Brady MVP, and QB4 is 2021 Kirk Cousins (MVP?) if he continues at this pace. If Kirk does in fact continue at this pace he will finish the season with better than a 11:1 TD:INT ratio with more than 35 touchdowns.
Here is a list of players to finish a season on this list: ___________. That’s it. There is no list because it’s never been done.
Not only is Kirk on pace for greatness, his stats right now would already have him in the MVP conversation if one or two of the Vikings’ close losses were wins instead. You could also argue that Kirk did his part in those close games as well. Just take a look at some of Kirk’s current passer rankings and keep in mind that not all QBs have had their bye yet or have played yet this week.
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- QBR: 8th
- Passing Yards: 8th
- Completion Percentage: 6th
- Touchdowns: 7th
- Game Winning Drives: 3rd
- Passer Rating: 3rd
- PFF Rank: 2nd
- Interception Percentage: 1st
You also might be thinking that a player needs to be on a winning team to be considered for MVP. Well Kirk and the Vikings are 5-5 coming off of a huge division win against the Aaron Rodgers led Green Bay Packers and have won 4 of their last 6 games. The Vikings are also trending towards a playoff berth, as they currently sit at 6th place in the NFC playoff picture. If the Vikings new aggressive approach continues throughout the rest of the season the Vikings have a very legitimate chance of finishing the season strong and in the playoffs.
If you combine Kirk’s numbers with a potential 11-6 finish, Kirk should be seriously considered for MVP and at very least a part of the conversation. Kirk Cousins MVP odds are currently sitting between 60:1 and 75:1 at most sportsbooks. Those odds might actually be pretty tempting if you’re in a legal sports betting state. At very least, as a fan base we need to better appreciate Kirk, the amazing season that he is having, and enjoy the ride.
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