Gotta Hear It: Vikings Quote of the Day — February 24, 2022

Each day, we select a quote about the Minnesota Vikings, uplifting the sentiment of the day or highlighting something notable.

The remark can come from a Vikings player, coach, writer, fan — or anybody, really. Selection of the quote is arbitrary. The excerpt may be insightful, humorous, groundbreaking, outlandish, or foolish. If you have a quote of the day (your own or from someone else), please send it to DustinBakerNFL@gmail.com.

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This quote is from February 23rd, 2022, from Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, speaking to Dan Barreiro from KFAN.

“I love Kirk Cousins. I do. I think the world of him as a player.”

– Kevin O’Connell | Minnesota Vikings

And here’s the full soundbite, tweeted by Luke Braun from Zone Coverage.

Setting up the quote, Barreiro asked the new skipper if he could confirm Cousins would be the QB1 in training camp. O’Connell explained that was too far away to prognosticate — for any player or position — and instead spoke of his gridiron ardor for Cousins.

So, either O’Connell is a master diplomat, trained in the art of talking out of both sides of his mouth — or he actually enjoys his current QB1. Fans are desperate to learn if the new Vikings regime will trade Cousins or retain him.

That decision is likely fluid. O’Connell said last week he plans to “build an offense” around Cousins. That’s not a sentence to offer if the man is certifiably on the trade block. Conversely, if a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers or Denver Broncos submitted a godfather offer for Cousins, the Vikings would have to oblige. This is the beauty of NFL general management.

General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah doesn’t wake up each morning wearing a shirt that reads “Trade Cousins.” He must evaluate, per dollar signs and predictive performance, if Cousins is worth an extension or if a different team will blow him away with a mouthwatering trade offer. Such is the case for any NFL player on a roster.

O’Connell “loves” Cousins. He’s stated this a couple of times now. The Vikings can win with Cousins if that’s the man Adofo-Mensah sends onto the field, according to O’Connell.

Your takeaway should be no football player is untouchable, and Minnesota’s leadership also enjoys the current QB1. Both thoughts can be true.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).