12-19-2019, 05:11 PM
Gary Kubiak’s contract terms were never revealed but it’s safe to say whatever the Vikings are paying him isn’t enough. Hired as the Vikings’ assistant head coach and offensive advisor last January, Kubiak has taken an offense that was suspect in 2018 and molded it into a strength in 2019. A year ago, the Vikings finished 19th in the NFL in points per game at 22.5; this season they are tied for fifth at 27 points per game.
This is not meant to sell Kevin Stefanski or Kirk Cousins short. Stefanski, who replaced John DeFilippo after he was fired late last season, has been the guy calling plays each week and more often than not he’s put players in a position to succeed. This has led to speculation that Stefanski could be in line for an NFL head coaching job this offseason.
Cousins was a disappointment in the first season of a three-year, $84 million contract in 2018, but he has been good enough this year that his name has been tossed around in some MVP discussions. Cousins threw 30 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions last season in 16 games and is at 25-5 in 14 games this year. Most importantly, the Vikings have two more victories than they did all of last season with two regular-season games remaining and are on the verge of clinching a playoff berth.
Kubiak quietly has played a key role in this success. He has done a masterful job of orchestrating in the background. He doesn’t talk to the media on a regular basis and is likely very happy to be left alone.
What’s really impressive is that since Mike Zimmer was hired as the Vikings’ coach in 2014 this franchise has been know for its emphasis on defense. That isn’t the case this year.
As Zimmer’s beloved defense has taken a step back — largely in part because of subpar play from the cornerbacks — Kubiak’s scheme has gone a long way toward insuring the job security of Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman. After the Vikings missed the playoffs in Cousins’ first season in Minnesota, Spielman and Zimmer had the options picked up their contracts through 2020 but the feeling was if things did not go well in 2019 changes might be coming.
The Vikings’ success this season — barring a major meltdown — means it’s likely Spielman and Zimmer will get contract extensions
https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2019...s-success/
This is not meant to sell Kevin Stefanski or Kirk Cousins short. Stefanski, who replaced John DeFilippo after he was fired late last season, has been the guy calling plays each week and more often than not he’s put players in a position to succeed. This has led to speculation that Stefanski could be in line for an NFL head coaching job this offseason.
Cousins was a disappointment in the first season of a three-year, $84 million contract in 2018, but he has been good enough this year that his name has been tossed around in some MVP discussions. Cousins threw 30 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions last season in 16 games and is at 25-5 in 14 games this year. Most importantly, the Vikings have two more victories than they did all of last season with two regular-season games remaining and are on the verge of clinching a playoff berth.
Kubiak quietly has played a key role in this success. He has done a masterful job of orchestrating in the background. He doesn’t talk to the media on a regular basis and is likely very happy to be left alone.
What’s really impressive is that since Mike Zimmer was hired as the Vikings’ coach in 2014 this franchise has been know for its emphasis on defense. That isn’t the case this year.
As Zimmer’s beloved defense has taken a step back — largely in part because of subpar play from the cornerbacks — Kubiak’s scheme has gone a long way toward insuring the job security of Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman. After the Vikings missed the playoffs in Cousins’ first season in Minnesota, Spielman and Zimmer had the options picked up their contracts through 2020 but the feeling was if things did not go well in 2019 changes might be coming.
The Vikings’ success this season — barring a major meltdown — means it’s likely Spielman and Zimmer will get contract extensions
https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2019...s-success/