Questions Answered: O’Connell’s Cousins Thoughts, a Possible Anthony Barr Reversal, 2022 Expectations
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today’s is the February 18th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
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Q: It sure sounded like the new coach wants Kirk Cousins back in 2022. Are you buying it?
A: Yes, we’re buying it. We believe Cousins will be QB1 in 2022.
But, for the record, O’Connell’s words were Cousins is “under contract,” and he thus expects him to stick around. If Cousins strangely won’t wiggle off his infamous $45 million cap hit, he will be traded. One of Cousins’ visible traits is his nice-guy persona. Somehow, though, he’s a shrewd businessman — or at least his agent has a killer instinct.
He will be the quarterback in September, but O’Connell’s words were not a cementing commitment. O’Connell basically said he could win with Cousins — which is an encouraging announcement.
Q: You guys thought Anthony Barr was a goner. Now, after the O’Connell press conference, what say you?
A: Hopefully, we were wrong on this one. By the sound of things today, we probably were incorrect about Barr leaving via free agency.
O’Connell named-dropped Barr, expressing how prolific he could be in Ed Donatell’s 3-4 hybrid defense. And Barr rushing the passer is something Vikings fans have feverishly asked for since 2014. The O’Connell endorsement is a big deal, implying Barr’s exodus is not a foregone conclusion. We said the opposite right after the season.
Now, the likelihood of Barr staying with the Vikings is probably back to a coinflip. Those odds are a lot better than last weekend.
Q: Alright, the coach is handpicked. The general manager seems awesome. What are you expectations for the 2022 Vikings?
A: Well, today is one to shoot for the stars with your expectations. The press conference was awesome — so was O’Connell’s overall arrival with a newly-formed Super Bowl spine.
But the reality? The Vikings will likely be decent in 2022. They’ll have the roster talent to remain relevant. Throughout history, Vikings coaches rarely arrive and barnstorm the league immediately. O’Connell is young, so this process will take time.
Ask us after the draft. For now, with defense needing a lot of work, 10-7 is probably the ceiling.
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).
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