When the Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a three-year $84 million deal in 2018 free agency, he was viewed as the final piece of the puzzle to a squad vying a Super Bowl birth. That didn't happen, however, as the Vikings slipped from an NFC Championship appearance to out of the playoffs completely in Cousins' first season in Minnesota.

Cousins had arguably his career year in 2018, in terms of statistics. He threw for 4,298 yards, 30 touchdowns, and ten interceptions on a 70.1% completion rate. Yet, his team went 8-7-1.

For Cousins, he knows how to get out of the gutter and into playoff legitimacy: don't be the savior many expect him to be. Though a good quarterback, he's not going to be one to drag a team into competitiveness like a select few.

Said Cousins, via Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune: “I am a quarterback; I’m not a savior. I’m sure you could say there are a few quarterbacks in this league who may be that, but I certainly don’t profess to be that. I think I can play the position at a high level, and that certainly is an important part of winning and losing and moving the ball as an offense. But it’s only a part of the bigger story.”

Cousins affirms the best way to win with him leading the ship is to have a good team around him, as he says:

“I know for a fact I will play my best football when there’s a good running game, when there’s good protection, when there’s really good receivers.”

Luckily, the Vikings gave Cousins some help on the offensive line, have an incredible one-two tandem at receiver in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, and are witnessing the rise of running back Dalvin Cook. Perhaps they will help Cousins become that savior.