Frederick: All eyes on Kevin O’Connell after Kirk Cousins trade

Paul Childs/Imagn Images Opinion by Jace Frederick / St. Paul Pioneer Press Today at 4:00 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article Opinion Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. The Trust Project What is this? A hat tip is due to Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley for his shrewd maneuver on Tuesday. Armed with a Super Bowl-caliber defense, Minnesota was in dire need at the sport’s premier position, and Teasley addressed it without giving up an arm and a leg in draft capital. And acquired a more-than-serviceable option who checks so many boxes. ADVERTISEMENT Kirk Cousins been a top-half quarterback this year in Las Vegas in many metrics, including Total QBR and Pro Football Focus grade. The veteran also has previous success in Minnesota while throwing to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson within coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Now, a full three years removed from the Achilles’ tendon injury that effectively ended his first tenure in Minnesota, Cousins is currently fifth in the NFL in passing yards (2,340) and second in touchdowns (20). He’s on pace to post very similar numbers to those he put up while leading Minnesota to a 13-4 mark in 2022. The Vikings have landed a solution that shouldn’t require much time to integrate. Now, all eyes turn to the head coach, because everything says this should work. Cousins was very good with Minnesota in the past. He has been very good this season. If he shows up in Minnesota and is suddenly subpar, the blame can only fall on the shoulders of the play-caller who has overseen this year-and-a-half long offensive trainwreck. This is an opportunity for O’Connell to absolve himself of recent failures. If Cousins comes in and Minnesota’s offense returns to competency in relatively short order, everyone will be able to point at the quarterback position as the root of the recent issues. MORE MINNESOTA VIKINGS COVERAGE: Pro Vikings reacquire Kirk Cousins in blockbuster trade with Raiders The move has the potential to define general manager Nolan Teasley’s tenure 1d ago · By Dane Mizutani / St. Paul Pioneer Press Pro The legend of Adrian Peterson, as told by the Vikings who knew him best He was inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor on Monday at U.S. Bank Stadium 1d ago · By Dane Mizutani / St. Paul Pioneer Press Pro Carson Wentz implodes as Vikings suffer embarrassing loss to Bills He completed 7 of 21 pass attempts for 75 yards, no touchdowns, a pair of interceptions, and a fumble 1d ago · By Dane Mizutani / St. Paul Pioneer Press Pro What do the Vikings need at the trade deadline? A bunch of different names and positions have been throw out there 1d ago · By Dane Mizutani / St. Paul Pioneer Press Pro Vikings star Justin Jefferson breaks silence about offensive struggles He chose not to speak to reporters after the Vikings’ 19-15 loss at Detroit 5d ago · By Dane Mizutani / St. Paul Pioneer Press Pro Carson Wentz will start for Vikings against Bills Kyler Murray has a hamstring strain and is considered week-to-week 6d ago · By Dane Mizutani / St. Paul Pioneer Press Pro Vikings legend Adrian Peterson still thinks about these two games The former Minnesota tailback is set to be inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor on Monday night Nov 4 · By Dane Mizutani / St. Paul Pioneer Press Pro Why did the Vikings struggle to stop the Lions? They had 18 missed tackles Jahmyr Gibbs and his shiftiness gave the Vikings fits throughout the game Nov 3 · By Dane Mizutani / St. Paul Pioneer Press Pro Jace Frederick: Vikings aren’t a Super Bowl contender with this offense Eight of the Vikings’ 10 drives against Detroit’s porous defense on Sunday lasted five plays or fewer Nov 3 · By Jace Frederick / St. Paul Pioneer Press Pro Dane Mizutani: Is it time for the Vikings to consider Carson Wentz over Kyler Murray? The Vikings had been winning despite an below-average offense until Sunday’s 19-15 loss at Detroit Nov 2 · By Dane Mizutani / St. Paul Pioneer Press It’s entirely possible that J.J McCarthy, Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer and Kyler Murray simply weren’t capable of producing within this offense. While many want to knock O’Connell’s inability to make better of suboptimal conditions than he has over the past 25 games, that’s not necessarily a requirement. ADVERTISEMENT O’Connell has done a good enough job with Minnesota’s general culture and structure as the head man that he doesn’t have to be responsible for turning water into wine at the quarterback position. He cannot, however, continue to lead the phase that is singlehandedly sinking the Vikings’ otherwise sturdy ship. Not with an established, productive signal caller now under center. We’re running out of people at which to point our fingers. The offense doesn’t even have to be one of the NFL’s best — or anything close to it — but it can no longer be the sole reason this team loses games. It has to be able to score 24-plus points against some of the NFL’s worst defenses, many of which have given Minnesota fits in recent weeks. If Cousins shows up and looks like a weaker version of himself than what we’ve seen even over the first half of this season, it will be difficult not to conclude that O’Connell is no longer a high-end offensive play-caller. Cousins’ arrival should be Minnesota’s offensive reprieve. If he’s not, there will only be one man left to blame. Text Example ____________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here. Comments Share Share this article Opinion Opinion Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. The Trust Project What is this? 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