Kirk Cousins is set to begin his second stint with the Minnesota Vikings when they face the Green Bay Packers in Week 10. The move is intended to stabilize Minnesota’s offense after inconsistent performances from Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz. The Vikings are hoping for an average-to-above-average offense to complement a defense capable of competing at a high level.
Cousins has posted a 97.1 passer rating, 2,340 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in nine games this season. Even so, former NFL head coach Antonio Pierce isn’t ready to call Minnesota a Super Bowl contender simply because the veteran quarterback has returned.
“Why all of a sudden, because Kirk Cousins is going back to Minnesota, do we crown them as real contenders?” Pierce said in a video published Nov. 15. “How many playoff games has Kirk Cousins won? He’s made a lot of money, and I’m not knocking him.”
Pierce added that he didn’t see enough reason to label the Vikings and Cousins Super Bowl contenders based on the move alone.
## Pierce Sees Signs of Regression
Pierce also questioned whether Cousins is beginning to regress, pointing to the quarterback’s recent games with the Las Vegas Raiders before his return to Minnesota on Nov. 10, ahead of the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline.
“If you look at the last few games with the Raiders, I think that’s getting more telling about Kirk Cousins,” Pierce said. He noted that Cousins started 3-0 and generally protected the ball, apart from Week 1, but questioned some of his decisions in the most recent game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Pierce acknowledged that Minnesota’s struggles at quarterback may help explain the move, but said he doesn’t view Cousins as a clear answer or as a quarterback who can lead the team to a Super Bowl.
## Cris Carter Calls Cousins a Strong Fit
Former Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter also weighed in on Cousins’ return. Carter said the move was driven in part by fan frustration with the team’s quarterback play during its Nov. 9 game against the Buffalo Bills.
Carter described Cousins as a strong fit for Minnesota, noting that the quarterback already knows the offense. He also said the move could give the Vikings a path to pursue a Super Bowl while making a smooth transition at the position.
Cousins’ return comes as Minnesota is on a two-game losing streak. His performance against the Packers will offer an early indication of whether he can quickly steady the offense or whether the team’s quarterback concerns will continue.
