Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has something to prove this year. The seventh-year quarterback is gearing up for his first season with the Vikings, via Michael Silver of NFL.com 

“I've always felt a need to prove myself, a sense of urgency, and the one-year contracts maybe amplified that to the outside world,” Cousins said. “But I was on a four-year contract as a rookie, and I didn't feel safe at all. So, on one hand, [the Vikings have] communicated belief in me, but every single day I get up and I think, ‘Boy, I'd better provide a return on their investment.”

Cousins was a productive starter for the Washington Redskins, but had a feeling his time was up when news of their trade for Alex Smith from the Kansas City Chiefs came out. NFL teams swarmed Cousins with offers once he was on the market, but he felt like the Vikings were the best fit for him.

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The team had the top-ranked defense in 2017 and was fresh of an NFC Championship appearance. They accomplished this without having a consistent starter under center. Cousins knew he could step in and be an asset to an already polished team. He turned down a $90 million deal from the jets to sign a three-year $84 million deal with the Vikings.

“We haven't won a game yet here with me as the quarterback, so there's still a lot to prove. And, believe me, there's plenty of people out there that are doubting that I was worth it, and there's probably a lot more people who believe that it wasn't worth it to bring me here than people who are excited about it and believe that I'll deliver,” said Cousins.

With Aaron Rodgers back at full capacity and Khalil Mack anchoring the Chicago Bears defense, the NFC North will be more competitive than last year. If Cousins performs like the franchise player the Vikings think he can be, they may be in line for their first Super Bowl appearance since 1977.