Forum The Longship Mike Zimmer never wanted the Vikings to sign Kirk...

Mike Zimmer never wanted the Vikings to sign Kirk Cousins

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(Photo by Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports) Mike Zimmer
The Minnesota Vikings head coach was not a fan of the signing in 2018.During Mike Zimmer’s first four years as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, the team was able to experience a bunch of success. With Zimmer leading the way from 2014 to 2017, the Vikings won 60 percent of their matchups, they captured two NFC North titles, they earned two playoff berths, and they finished the 2017 season one game short of making the Super Bowl. Then came the 2018 offseason. Minnesota decided to break the bank and sign free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins to a massive contract. Even though Zimmer put on a smile during Cousins’ introductory press conference, giving a free-agent quarterback a ton of money is not something the Vikings head coach was okay with. Old comments reveal Mike Zimmer’s true feelings about the Minnesota Vikings 2018 offseasonDuring his press conference at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, Zimmer was asked numerous questions about Minnesota’s plans at the quarterback position for the upcoming season. The Vikings head coach took time to compliment Case KeenumTeddy Bridgewater, and Sam Bradford while also making it clear that he did not want the team to spend a ton of cash on a shiny new signal-caller.
“The thing that I told Rick (Spielman) was, when we sat down in meetings, I said, ‘look, we’ve won this many games in these many years because of this football team.’ Because we’ve played really good on defense for the most part. This year, obviously, we played so much better on offense and we were able to go further than what a lot of people thought we would. So it’s important that we continue to put the pieces in place on defense.  What I don’t want to do is say, ‘okay, (here) is this one thing – we’re going to do this and we’re going to take away from the rest of the things that have gotten us to this point.’ So that’s the other thing.  Rob Brzezinski, our cap guy, does an outstanding job of saying, ‘okay, if we do this, then we’re going to have to give up here. If we do this, then we’re going to have to do this. If we do this, we can add here or we can add there.’ So I think all of those things come into play.”
Heading into this press conference, rumors had already begun to swirl about Minnesota having interest in signing Cousins. Judging from Zimmer’s comments, it didn’t sound like he was happy with the Vikings investing a good portion of their salary cap into signing a high-priced quarterback. Minnesota’s head coach saw what worked well for his team during his first four seasons and he didn’t think spending a lot of money on someone like Cousins was going to help. In fact, based on Zimmer’s comments from above, one can make the assumption that he felt that signing Cousins was going to have a negative impact on the Vikings’ future. And what do you know? Zimmer was right. Remember how we mentioned earlier that Minnesota won 60 percent of their games during Zimmer’s first four years with the team? Well, the Vikings have only earned victories in 50 percent of their matchups since they signed Cousins in 2018 and it’s not just a coincidence. Minnesota has attempted to provide the veteran quarterback with a number of weapons during his tenure with the team while also doing what they can tailor the offense around his strengths. But Cousins still hasn’t been able to take his game to the top level like so many felt he could when he first signed with the Vikings. Does Zimmer deserve a good amount of blame for Minnesota’s 1-5 start this season? Yes, of course he does, he’s the head coach. But let’s not act like Cousins hasn’t been a gigantic reason for the Vikings’ lack of success this year either. https://thevikingage.com/2020/10/19/mike-zimmer-minnesota-vikings-kirk-cousins/
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#1 · Oct 19, 10:07 PM
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@"Hawkvike25" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Hawkvike25" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Hawkvike25" said:
@"Vikergirl" said: So what were the other options at the time? Yeah exactly. I am all for moving on but they can't just yet. Unless they find a taker, they are stuck. They have to draft a new qb and he can sit until Cousins moves on somehow.
This is exactly it. Where the vikes were picking in the first round there were no QB's available. Frankly, there wasnt much available until way late in the draft and you arent going to start a late draft pick on a team that just went to the NFC Championship game. On to Free Agents: Cousins was by far the best choice. Some of you Keenum fans will think he was the better choice but just stop, no he wasnt. Teddy was a HUGE gamble at that time and when you are in your window, which the Vikings were, you dont take a gamble on Teddy. At the time it was the right choice because it was really the only choice. It sucks now, for sure, but if you replay the outcome, it's the same 99/100
there were plenty of people that argued that cousins game wasnt worth the money,  and in hindsight... they were right.

there was plenty of evidence that much of what we heard at the time has proven true.

Throws interceptions in clutch moments... check

Locks onto recievers... check

Immobile and doesnt escape pressure.... check

Stats built in garbage time against prevent defenses... check

you can get all that from a gamble or bargain QB and that is exactly what we have gotten and there were quite a few at the time that plenty vocal about it.  



Oh I agree, my argument is they had no other realistic options at QB for a team that just went to the NFC Championship game. Cousins was risky at the time because his record wasnt great, my point is there were no good QB's available in the draft that late in the first round or second round that were going to start. 


but you dont compound a weakness ( the QB position) by overpaying for a QB and then ultimately having to sacrifice at other positions.  we could have gotten Case and Teddy combined for less than what they paid Cousins and been just as competitive IMO.   What Cousins makes up for in accuracy he gives up in lack of pocket awareness and mobility to keenum,  and Teddy wouldnt have been ready that first year,  but he would have been a secure option to compete with a new draft pick if they had let Case go by now.

point is its not as cut and dry that Cousins was the only option IMO,  plenty didnt see it that way at the time and history has proven them right... the doubling down on the mistake is where I am fine with blowin this whole thing up and starting over from the GM on down... that was simply a mistake beyond comprehension IMO.



They were never going to pay Keenum starter money because he's not a starter. The year before Minnesota he threw 9 TDs and 11 picks. The year after, he threw 18 tds and 15 picks. I know he was great the one year for us, but fans on this site need to realize Keenum was not the answer at QB. Also, Teddy was a HUGE gamble at the time, so I do think Cousins was the only viable option at that time for a team that just went to the NFCCG.

Cousins was great last year and he sucks now. The contract sucks and it hurts us moving forward, but at the time it was the right move to sign Cousins (contract shouldn't have been $28MM a year I do agree on that).



Cousins was hardly great last year,  he was good enough most the time last year, but he made some game losing mistakes that prevent me from saying he was great.

the team could have gotten Keenum on the cheap if they had tried IMO,  same with Teddy,  what Case did the year before or the year after is immaterial since it was with a different team,  we had a guy that took the Vikings to the NFCCG with a horseshoe hanging out of his ass and we traded that for a guy that cost twice as much and did not really do that much more.

oh,  and instead of Cousins,  if you really didnt want Case,  you could have gotten Fitzpatrick,  Foles, or Cutler, none of which are overly impressive,  but plenty of people were pretty much dead on with Cousins not being the guy either.

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#22 · Oct 20, 11:20 AM
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I don't think Zimmer wanted Case especially after that comment about the horseshoe and Teddy was hurt by how things were handled. I understand the hesitation with Teddy though. I still think there is one more year of Cousins unless there is a trade partner. They still need to draft a qb. 

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#23 · Oct 20, 11:35 AM
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@"Vikergirl" said: I don't think Zimmer wanted Case especially after that comment about the horseshoe and Teddy was hurt by how things were handled. I understand the hesitation with Teddy though. I still think there is one more year of Cousins unless there is a trade partner. They still need to draft a qb. 
well if there is one more year there will be 2 more years.
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#24 · Oct 20, 11:52 AM
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The front office never built an OL that would consistently protect their non-mobile QB. They knew what he was when they signed him and haven't done enough to protect him. When he has a clean pocket he's one of the best in the business because of his accuracy. I know they have made a few high draft picks but it's obviously not enough.

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#25 · Oct 20, 11:55 AM
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@"Jor-El" said:
@"StickyBun" said:
@"Zanary" said: Meh.

Cousins is one member of a team that's in complete disarray right now.  Atlanta was able to score at will...and they were seen as more pathetic than us going into Sunday's game.

The o-line is an ongoing problem, Cook is missing time again, and it looks like Special Teams is the only portion of the team that's doing...decently...with any consistency.

Cousins is having an awful season, but all of the focus on him is as ridiculous as all of the cap hit for him.  There is a whole team to consider, and the whole team is basically broken right now.


This. The Viking fanbase is SO ready to jump down Cousin's throat for almost anything. Way too convenient. This defense is abysmal. 

And lol at Vikingage. Its basically a gossip column. The headline is clickbait. 


Agree completely that Cousins is hardly the only problem on this team but getting the most negative attention because...well, quarterbacks do.
But I think it is also about his contract, especially the 2020 extension which ties the team to the huge commitment through 2022. If fans start thinking, "Time to rebuild", that contract makes it really hard to move on from Cousins and have decent salary cap space.

A cynic could even suspect that the extension given to Cousins was designed to prevent the Wilfs from "blowing it up" within the next two years.



Errr you mean the g.m. said to himself 'hey if I really make a mess of this they'll have to keep me around' ?

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#26 · Oct 20, 11:55 AM
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@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"StickyBun" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"StickyBun" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"StickyBun" said:
@"Zanary" said: Meh.

Cousins is one member of a team that's in complete disarray right now.  Atlanta was able to score at will...and they were seen as more pathetic than us going into Sunday's game.

The o-line is an ongoing problem, Cook is missing time again, and it looks like Special Teams is the only portion of the team that's doing...decently...with any consistency.

Cousins is having an awful season, but all of the focus on him is as ridiculous as all of the cap hit for him.  There is a whole team to consider, and the whole team is basically broken right now.


This. The Viking fanbase is SO ready to jump down Cousin's throat for almost anything. Way too convenient. This defense is abysmal. 

And lol at Vikingage. Its basically a gossip column. The headline is clickbait. 



he cant control the D, but he does control what he does on offense and his play is no where commensurate with his compensation and contract.  if anything the D giving up big leads has led to Cousins having easier opportunities to build his stats.

blow it all up.  no way in hell should they pick up Cousins 3rd year,  pay him off to go away and start the healing process this year.



Last year he had his best passer rating and year as a NFL QB. Played great in an upset win against New Orleans in the playoffs. Gets zero credit from Viking Nation for it. Plays shitty in game 1 against Green Bay and fans want him cut. This is what I'm referring to. His leash is beyond short with the fans. Why? No idea. Its not like the team has anything better behind him.

Having said this, its time to draft a QB. Cousins isn't going anywhere with that contract. The sooner fans realize this, the better off they'll be. So get a guy that can sit and learn behind him. 



if they dont eat 2021 money on Cousins deal and move on now they wont have any money to rebuild with for the new QB to work with,  that 40+ million number for 2022 is staggering and wouldnt leave a team for the young QB.   take that ass kicking next year,  bring in a vet on a cheap prove it deal to mentor the kid next year and to compete the following and use the 2022 offseason ( and that 40 million in cap savings) to fill what ever holes we still have on our OL and DL so we can use the draft picks that year to start to reload the DBs and WR groups.

and yes he had a decent year last year,  but he was still who he has shown to be,  mediocracy with a smattering of greatness and WTF moments.



Yeah, there's no way they are paying him $40 mill in 2022. That will not happen. 


then they have to trade or cut him this year.... if he is on the roster at the start of the league year in 2021 (4 months from now) his $35 million for 2022 is guaranteed.  ( i keep saying 40+ because of his prorated cap, but we eat that anyway)  even at 35 million I say take that ass kicking on the cap next year,  have another down season in 2021, which will only help draft positions and hopefully the talent coming in... and be ready to start to work on the new team in 2022 instead of still being dealing with Cousins contract while a new QB is trying to build his NFL game and confidence.

if they cut him prior to the start of the next league year the team eats his 21 million in contract for next year as well as the remaining 20 million in signing bonus so its a his of 41 million against 2021 cap.  If they could some how trade him they would only eat the 20 million signing bonus next year.. however if they dont cut or trade him prior to Feb 2021,  then they are locked in for an additional 35 million for him in 2022, plus the remaining 10 million from that salary cap... they need to admit it was a mistake and turn that potential 76 million over the next 2 years of cap disaster into one year of 41 million in 2021... thats a savings of 35 million (minus whatever we have to eat for a veteran mentor type QB for our future QB to learn under for 2 year)   which could be damn damn handy in creating a team for any new QB that we may end up taking.  


I think a lot of people are missing what you point out here: if they keep him on the roster past the beginning of the 2021 season, the Vikings are on the hook to pay him the full $56M over 21 AND 2022. There is no "out" in his contract after this offseason. It's crazy - like a Dead Man's Switch for a bomb that Spielman set, which will explode for this team's next couple of years if they try to get rid of Cousins. If people want to keep him in 2021 as a "bridge" QB for some rookie, they have to keep him (or pay him his full salary anyway) in 2022 also.

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#27 · Oct 20, 12:02 PM
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@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Hawkvike25" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Hawkvike25" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Hawkvike25" said:
@"Vikergirl" said: So what were the other options at the time? Yeah exactly. I am all for moving on but they can't just yet. Unless they find a taker, they are stuck. They have to draft a new qb and he can sit until Cousins moves on somehow.
This is exactly it. Where the vikes were picking in the first round there were no QB's available. Frankly, there wasnt much available until way late in the draft and you arent going to start a late draft pick on a team that just went to the NFC Championship game. On to Free Agents: Cousins was by far the best choice. Some of you Keenum fans will think he was the better choice but just stop, no he wasnt. Teddy was a HUGE gamble at that time and when you are in your window, which the Vikings were, you dont take a gamble on Teddy. At the time it was the right choice because it was really the only choice. It sucks now, for sure, but if you replay the outcome, it's the same 99/100
there were plenty of people that argued that cousins game wasnt worth the money,  and in hindsight... they were right.

there was plenty of evidence that much of what we heard at the time has proven true.

Throws interceptions in clutch moments... check

Locks onto recievers... check

Immobile and doesnt escape pressure.... check

Stats built in garbage time against prevent defenses... check

you can get all that from a gamble or bargain QB and that is exactly what we have gotten and there were quite a few at the time that plenty vocal about it.  



Oh I agree, my argument is they had no other realistic options at QB for a team that just went to the NFC Championship game. Cousins was risky at the time because his record wasnt great, my point is there were no good QB's available in the draft that late in the first round or second round that were going to start. 


but you dont compound a weakness ( the QB position) by overpaying for a QB and then ultimately having to sacrifice at other positions.  we could have gotten Case and Teddy combined for less than what they paid Cousins and been just as competitive IMO.   What Cousins makes up for in accuracy he gives up in lack of pocket awareness and mobility to keenum,  and Teddy wouldnt have been ready that first year,  but he would have been a secure option to compete with a new draft pick if they had let Case go by now.

point is its not as cut and dry that Cousins was the only option IMO,  plenty didnt see it that way at the time and history has proven them right... the doubling down on the mistake is where I am fine with blowin this whole thing up and starting over from the GM on down... that was simply a mistake beyond comprehension IMO.



They were never going to pay Keenum starter money because he's not a starter. The year before Minnesota he threw 9 TDs and 11 picks. The year after, he threw 18 tds and 15 picks. I know he was great the one year for us, but fans on this site need to realize Keenum was not the answer at QB. Also, Teddy was a HUGE gamble at the time, so I do think Cousins was the only viable option at that time for a team that just went to the NFCCG.

Cousins was great last year and he sucks now. The contract sucks and it hurts us moving forward, but at the time it was the right move to sign Cousins (contract shouldn't have been $28MM a year I do agree on that).



Cousins was hardly great last year,  he was good enough most the time last year, but he made some game losing mistakes that prevent me from saying he was great.

the team could have gotten Keenum on the cheap if they had tried IMO,  same with Teddy,  what Case did the year before or the year after is immaterial since it was with a different team,  we had a guy that took the Vikings to the NFCCG with a horseshoe hanging out of his ass and we traded that for a guy that cost twice as much and did not really do that much more.

oh,  and instead of Cousins,  if you really didnt want Case,  you could have gotten Fitzpatrick,  Foles, or Cutler, none of which are overly impressive,  but plenty of people were pretty much dead on with Cousins not being the guy either.



I think when Case turned into a pumpkin in the NFCC they decided he wasn't the 'guy' to lead them to a title.  Zimmer's D melting down was conveniently forgotten.

And it fit Zimmer's not-very-well-hidden resentment of Case to dump him.   I'm not about to claim Case is anything special but you are right in that a real examination of Kirk's history would tell anyone that he was not going to be the 'guy' either.

Yet in interviews at the time Zimmer said they watched all his tape and had the right stuff to be that guy.

Bottom line is Rick and Zim are just stumbling along, the owner laughs his way to the bank while his p.r. machine tells us how wonderful the organization is, and us fans are bagholders year in and year out.

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#28 · Oct 20, 12:03 PM
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if you must have someone to blame its Spielly. And he has made alot of good moves. I would consider demoting Spielman but offer to retain him and if he no likey we try to improve player evaluation. Zimmer is a very good coach. look at his record. 

Look at Andy Reid, he won 60% of his games prior to getting the sod in Mahomes. Zimmer is at 58% with all the challenges he has faced. 

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#29 · Oct 20, 12:27 PM
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@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Vikergirl" said: I don't think Zimmer wanted Case especially after that comment about the horseshoe and Teddy was hurt by how things were handled. I understand the hesitation with Teddy though. I still think there is one more year of Cousins unless there is a trade partner. They still need to draft a qb. 
well if there is one more year there will be 2 more years.
I don't think they make the final year because of the numbers but we'll see. Hoping for improving the OL otherwise well it will continue to go downhill.
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#30 · Oct 20, 12:47 PM
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@"Vikergirl" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Vikergirl" said: I don't think Zimmer wanted Case especially after that comment about the horseshoe and Teddy was hurt by how things were handled. I understand the hesitation with Teddy though. I still think there is one more year of Cousins unless there is a trade partner. They still need to draft a qb. 
well if there is one more year there will be 2 more years.
I don't think they make the final year because of the numbers but we'll see. Hoping for improving the OL otherwise well it will continue to go downhill.
see my above post... if they dont move on from him after this year.... his final year is guaranteed... there is no out for 2022 if he is on the roster day 3 of the 2021 league year which starts in a little over 4 months.
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#31 · Oct 20, 1:18 PM
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@"StickyBun" said:
@"Zanary" said: Meh.

Cousins is one member of a team that's in complete disarray right now.  Atlanta was able to score at will...and they were seen as more pathetic than us going into Sunday's game.

The o-line is an ongoing problem, Cook is missing time again, and it looks like Special Teams is the only portion of the team that's doing...decently...with any consistency.

Cousins is having an awful season, but all of the focus on him is as ridiculous as all of the cap hit for him.  There is a whole team to consider, and the whole team is basically broken right now.


This. The Viking fanbase is SO ready to jump down Cousin's throat for almost anything. Way too convenient. This defense is abysmal. 

And lol at Vikingage. Its basically a gossip column. The headline is clickbait. 



I posted this to stimulate a conversation, not to satisfy your entitlement on all things internet...  B) 

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#32 · Oct 20, 2:27 PM
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@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Vikergirl" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Vikergirl" said: I don't think Zimmer wanted Case especially after that comment about the horseshoe and Teddy was hurt by how things were handled. I understand the hesitation with Teddy though. I still think there is one more year of Cousins unless there is a trade partner. They still need to draft a qb. 
well if there is one more year there will be 2 more years.
I don't think they make the final year because of the numbers but we'll see. Hoping for improving the OL otherwise well it will continue to go downhill.
see my above post... if they dont move on from him after this year.... his final year is guaranteed... there is no out for 2022 if he is on the roster day 3 of the 2021 league year which starts in a little over 4 months.
Lolz I think you have to create a new thread where the title reads HIS FINAL YEAR IS GUARANTEED UNLESS HE'S OFF THE ROSTER ON DAY 3 OF 2021 LEAGUE YEAR
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#33 · Oct 20, 2:49 PM
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@"Hawkvike25" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Vikergirl" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Vikergirl" said: I don't think Zimmer wanted Case especially after that comment about the horseshoe and Teddy was hurt by how things were handled. I understand the hesitation with Teddy though. I still think there is one more year of Cousins unless there is a trade partner. They still need to draft a qb. 
well if there is one more year there will be 2 more years.
I don't think they make the final year because of the numbers but we'll see. Hoping for improving the OL otherwise well it will continue to go downhill.
see my above post... if they dont move on from him after this year.... his final year is guaranteed... there is no out for 2022 if he is on the roster day 3 of the 2021 league year which starts in a little over 4 months.
Lolz I think you have to create a new thread where the title reads HIS FINAL YEAR IS GUARANTEED UNLESS HE'S OFF THE ROSTER ON DAY 3 OF 2021 LEAGUE YEAR
it does seem to be escaping some people doesnt it?   most likely because nobody would think anybody would be foolish enough to agree to that kind of language,  but they would be wrong.
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#34 · Oct 20, 3:00 PM
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@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Hawkvike25" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Vikergirl" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Vikergirl" said: I don't think Zimmer wanted Case especially after that comment about the horseshoe and Teddy was hurt by how things were handled. I understand the hesitation with Teddy though. I still think there is one more year of Cousins unless there is a trade partner. They still need to draft a qb. 
well if there is one more year there will be 2 more years.
I don't think they make the final year because of the numbers but we'll see. Hoping for improving the OL otherwise well it will continue to go downhill.
see my above post... if they dont move on from him after this year.... his final year is guaranteed... there is no out for 2022 if he is on the roster day 3 of the 2021 league year which starts in a little over 4 months.
Lolz I think you have to create a new thread where the title reads HIS FINAL YEAR IS GUARANTEED UNLESS HE'S OFF THE ROSTER ON DAY 3 OF 2021 LEAGUE YEAR
it does seem to be escaping some people doesnt it?   most likely because nobody would think anybody would be foolish enough to agree to that kind of language,  but they would be wrong.
Kudos to Cousins' team on that one. Its basically like creating a no trade clause without actually having a no trade clause
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#35 · Oct 20, 3:23 PM
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So they have to make a decision by March and a deal by June. Cousins agent certainly made a good deal for his client.

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#36 · Oct 20, 3:31 PM
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@"Vikergirl" said: So they have to make a decision by March and a deal by June. Cousins agent certainly made a good deal for his client.
horribly one sided contract.
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#37 · Oct 20, 4:27 PM
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@"PSBLAKE" said:
@"Vikergirl" said: So they have to make a decision by March and a deal by June. Cousins agent certainly made a good deal for his client.
horribly one sided contract.
Sad but true but the front office went along with it.
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#38 · Oct 20, 4:45 PM
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@"Vikergirl" said:
@"PSBLAKE" said:
@"Vikergirl" said: So they have to make a decision by March and a deal by June. Cousins agent certainly made a good deal for his client.
horribly one sided contract.
Sad but true but the front office went along with it.

The only justification for it is that they lowered Cousins' 2020 cap hit to $21M, down from $30M. They needed that money to give Dalvin Cook a new deal. Those 2 moves - keeping your middle-aged QB for three seasons and giving a RB a large deal - should prove to everyone that there was no intent to "tank" or even rebuild in the next couple years. These were moves by a GM who had faith he had the personnel to contend immediately. Both Cousins' and Cook's contracts tie the Vikings' hands until the end of the 2022 season.

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#39 · Oct 20, 4:55 PM
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@"Hawkvike25" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Hawkvike25" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"Hawkvike25" said:
@"Vikergirl" said: So what were the other options at the time? Yeah exactly. I am all for moving on but they can't just yet. Unless they find a taker, they are stuck. They have to draft a new qb and he can sit until Cousins moves on somehow.
This is exactly it. Where the vikes were picking in the first round there were no QB's available. Frankly, there wasnt much available until way late in the draft and you arent going to start a late draft pick on a team that just went to the NFC Championship game. On to Free Agents: Cousins was by far the best choice. Some of you Keenum fans will think he was the better choice but just stop, no he wasnt. Teddy was a HUGE gamble at that time and when you are in your window, which the Vikings were, you dont take a gamble on Teddy. At the time it was the right choice because it was really the only choice. It sucks now, for sure, but if you replay the outcome, it's the same 99/100
there were plenty of people that argued that cousins game wasnt worth the money,  and in hindsight... they were right.

there was plenty of evidence that much of what we heard at the time has proven true.

Throws interceptions in clutch moments... check

Locks onto recievers... check

Immobile and doesnt escape pressure.... check

Stats built in garbage time against prevent defenses... check

you can get all that from a gamble or bargain QB and that is exactly what we have gotten and there were quite a few at the time that plenty vocal about it.  



Oh I agree, my argument is they had no other realistic options at QB for a team that just went to the NFC Championship game. Cousins was risky at the time because his record wasnt great, my point is there were no good QB's available in the draft that late in the first round or second round that were going to start. 


but you dont compound a weakness ( the QB position) by overpaying for a QB and then ultimately having to sacrifice at other positions.  we could have gotten Case and Teddy combined for less than what they paid Cousins and been just as competitive IMO.   What Cousins makes up for in accuracy he gives up in lack of pocket awareness and mobility to keenum,  and Teddy wouldnt have been ready that first year,  but he would have been a secure option to compete with a new draft pick if they had let Case go by now.

point is its not as cut and dry that Cousins was the only option IMO,  plenty didnt see it that way at the time and history has proven them right... the doubling down on the mistake is where I am fine with blowin this whole thing up and starting over from the GM on down... that was simply a mistake beyond comprehension IMO.



They were never going to pay Keenum starter money because he's not a starter. The year before Minnesota he threw 9 TDs and 11 picks. The year after, he threw 18 tds and 15 picks. I know he was great the one year for us, but fans on this site need to realize Keenum was not the answer at QB. Also, Teddy was a HUGE gamble at the time, so I do think Cousins was the only viable option at that time for a team that just went to the NFCCG.

Cousins was great last year and he sucks now. The contract sucks and it hurts us moving forward, but at the time it was the right move to sign Cousins (contract shouldn't have been $28MM a year I do agree on that).



So says you :). doesnt stop me from my signed Keenum jersey hanging right there with Moss, Favre and Smith. 

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#40 · Oct 20, 6:05 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
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Is this the same Zimmer that said Hunter's injury was just a tweak and he was not worried? My point being whatever NFL coaches say in public carries very little weight

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#41 · Oct 20, 6:52 PM
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