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Sunday, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins played his best game of the season. It was the game after he was called out by receiver Adam Thielen for not throwing the deep ball. Cousins was able to satisfy Thielen's hungry appetite; the receiver went for 130 yards.
His situation brought into question the longstanding notion that once a player is named the starting quarterback it is the considered his team and he should assume the role of the leader.
Mike Sando of The Athletic brought up a valid point relayed by an NFL executive: Sometimes certain players are not made for the role of leading a team even if they are the quarterback.
The executive stated:
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“These guys get the extra role of leadership. It’s too much for a lot of them. We are over-pressurizing the position.”
For Kirk Cousins, whose most animated moment turned into a meme, the role of leading a Minnesota Vikings team that hosts a lot of strong personalities might be too much for him. Cousins isn't the kind of player who will call others out when they're slacking or not performing; he isn't the type of player to get in a teammate's face when needed.
Last week's incident in which Cousins issued an apology to Thielen indicated that he can't take harsh criticism the way others can and doesn't embody the kind of quarterback leader who is synonymous with the position.
In terms of Cousins, this NFL insider is right on the money; it seems there are more fit and willing leaders on that team than a mild-mannered Cousins.
