The Vikings fell to 1-5 after their lopsided loss to the Falcons on Sunday, and Kirk Cousins had another bad game. He ended up leading a few scoring drives in garbage time to make his final numbers not look too bad, but his three early interceptions sealed the loss. It was his second game of the year with three picks, and he now has a league-high ten on the year. Speaking to the media after the game, Cousins acknowledged that his turnover issues could lead to a benching if he doesn’t get things cleaned up. “The reality is if the pace that I’m on, in terms of the interceptions, if that were to continue, I won’t finish the season. I won’t,” Cousins said bluntly, per Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
“There’s a little bit of – you’ve got to improve whether it’s them telling me ‘hey, we’ve got to improve’ or them pulling me, you’ve got to get better and that will be what the rest of the season will be about for me,” the Vikings’ signal-caller said. For what it’s worth, head coach Mike Zimmer said after the game that he didn’t consider benching Cousins during the loss. Minnesota’s backup is former Jared Goff clipboard-holder Sean Mannion, who isn’t exactly the most appealing second-string option. Cousins signed an extension back in March that has him under contract through the 2022 season. His dead cap hit would be $41MM next year, so moving on after this season isn’t really an option. As such, Zimmer is in a pretty tight bind if Cousins keeps playing like this.
Here’s more from the NFC North:
- The Packers worked out kicker Giorgio Tavecchio earlier this week, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). There’s no indication there’s any problem with Mason Crosby, so this was probably just Green Bay doing some due diligence in the event of an injury of COVID-19 problems. Tavecchio has kicked for the Raiders and Falcons in recent years, and also spent time with the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL.
- Tavecchio isn’t the only one the Packers are planning on working out. Green Bay will host linebacker Alvin Jones as soon as he clears the COVID-19 protocols, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Notably, Jones is the win brother of Packers star running back Aaron Jones. A fellow UTEP product, the linebacker spent the past couple years with the Ravens, mostly on injured reserve and the practice squad. He’s yet to appear in a regular season NFL game. “I’m glad he’s going to get his opportunity and get a chance to work out,” Aaron said to the media. “I know he’ll do whatever he needs to do and hopefully he’s on the team with me. I’d love to have that. That’d be a true joy.“
- The Bears improved to 5-1 with their win over the Panthers on Sunday, and they did it without one of their position coaches. Offensive line coach Juan Castillo is away from the team as he self isolates due to a close exposure to someone who is COVID-19 positive, Brad Briggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets. Castillo is apparently considered high risk, and the positive he was in contact with was someone away from the team and not a player.
Wonder if the Vikings would make a trade for a QB. Ryan, Wentz, Stafford could all be on the block.
Not with his salary, and no one is gonna absorb that hit in a trade
Well.im talking about the offseason. Cousins is a FA I believe.
He signed a new deal and has 2 more years after this year.
The fact that they really thought their best option was to give Kirk more $ & cap space has me thinking about potentially just giving up. I was born a fan
I’d call Indy about Jacoby Brissett.
Indy should consider starting Brissett over Rivers
Rivers just had a comeback
They’re stuck with Cousins and his ridiculous contract. He’s not the answer but they have no choice.
A couple years ago, I thought that Kyle Sloter showed promise and grit. I was surprised when he was cut. Perhaps Rodgers will be available after 2022.
Interesting that GB would work out a potential replacement for Crosby, but had no interest in adding a WR, d-line help or an inside LB in the draft.
Or free agency (yeah, I know they signed Funchess. He wasn’t going to help much, AND he opted out..)
Or via trade (as of yet)
Today they got exposed, as I knew they would once they played a team with talent AND experience. But they keep doing what they’ve done for over a decade..bring in more undrafted fa’s and other team’s castoffs.
Could probably get Crowder from NYJ for a 7th rounder
If that’s so, they should do it.
agreed
Forgot the saints have zero talent and experience.
Settle down Nostradamus ….it’s one game.
Some Packers fans just like to complain when anything doesn’t go their way. We as fans have been privileged to have back to back HOF QBs which has set the bar extremely high for Jordan Love or whoever winds up replacing Rodgers.
Tavecchio was already in the Packers’ preseason camp a few years ago. Second time‘s a charm?
Wow, looks now like Washington did do something right letting Cousins move on! The guy had no clutch at all!
Not getting defensive help or a wr in the draft is starting to catch up to the packers . What a horrible draft especially how deep wr was and how bad their defense is did they forget the nfc championship game ?
Should have kept Diggs. Their RB was also out. Cousins ain’t horrible…his contract is.
Jefferson is doing fine. Not having Diggs isn’t the issue.
Oline still sucks , as it has for YEARS!!! D injuries are hurting us too!!!
Always host the win brother and never the lose or tie brother.