Since the Viking signed Kirk Cousins in 2018 there has been a lot of speculation around the quarterback's lack of mobility. Earlier this year Vikings legend Fran Tarkenton had a message for Cousins on KFAN 100.3.
“Kirk, if you’re listening to this program, go out there and run more,” Tarkenton said. “Buy more time. Give your receivers some time to go because today being a pocket quarterback only is almost impossible.”
Throughout the offseason Cousins has talked about one of his newest acquired hobbies and how it’s transitioned to help him out on the football field. The Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling did a story on it back in August.
Whatever Cousins has done this offseason seems to be working, as he scrambled for 34 yards on four attempts. This isn’t going to seem like much when there’s quarterbacks out there with much more athleticism than Cousins, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.
Plays like the one above are not easy to find throughout Cousins' career. On top of showing better awareness in the pocket, Cousins had a solid day passing as well. He delivered a few dimes to Thielen for touchdowns with his only negative play coming on the interception to Jaire Alexander.
Although the team didn’t do enough to win on Sunday afternoon, the mobility that Cousins displayed should have Vikings fans excited. It’s an aspect of his game that he hasn’t shown much of in Minnesota, but certainly will make the offense better if he’s able to have better pocket awareness.