Vikings HC offers big Kirk Cousins update

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell made it known this past fall that he hoped to continue working with quarterback Kirk Cousins after Cousins suffered a season-ending torn Achilles on Oct. 29. 

O'Connell hinted while speaking with reporters on Tuesday he's at least somewhat optimistic Cousins will stay put even though the 35-year-old remains set to reach free agency next month. 

"I feel like we’re heading toward a good place with Kirk, but like we’ve seen, free agency and the uncertainties for this time of year, you’ve got to be ready in a leadership role to have contingency plans and adjust on the fly," O'Connell said about the situation, per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. 

Cousins has repeatedly spoken highly about what's been his NFL home since 2018, but Minnesota can't retain his rights via the franchise tag before he hits the open market. 

According to Cory Woodroof of USA Today/For The Win, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also addressed media members on Tuesday and slammed the door shut on possibly trading star wide receiver Justin Jefferson this offseason. 

Such a stance suggests Minnesota isn't hitting a figurative reset button ahead of the 2024 draft. 

"Kirk Cousins knows how I feel about him," O'Connell said. "I’ve held no secrets there. He knows how the Minnesota Vikings feel about him. I believe Kirk wants to be a Viking, and we’re going to work to try to make that the outcome." 

O'Connell became head coach of the Vikings in February 2022, and he acknowledged on Tuesday that "a huge reason" why he was attracted to the job was because Cousins was atop the depth chart. 

Cousins went 17-8 across the past two regular seasons but lost his only playoff start under O'Connell. 

"My feelings on Kirk Cousins, they really have not wavered in two years," O'Connell added. "If anything, they’re stronger now having gone through a lot of adversity together, but we’ve had a lot of success as well." 

In a mock draft updated on Tuesday, Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports predicted the Vikings will grab Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 11th overall pick of this year's draft. 

Cousins could serve as a mentor for McCarthy in such a scenario, but only if Minnesota first gets a deal done with the veteran.