Adam Thielen Wants You to Put Some Respect on Kirk Cousins’ Name

Photo: Chris Graythen - Getty Images

It was a massive victory for the Minnesota Vikings, on Sunday, over the Green Bay Packers for a lot of reasons. Now 5-5, the purple sit 6th place in the NFC and hold a wildcard spot. But there was more to the win than climbing back into the playoff picture. And if you were wondering why, Adam Thielen gave all the details immediately after the game.

Thielen touched on everything from refocusing for next week’s matchup vs the 49ers, to how happy little Vikings fans will be when they go to school tomorrow morning and confront their Packer fan friends. But it was how Adam answered the first question that should tell you all you need to know about the trust this team currently has in its quarterback, Kirk Cousins.

Put some respect on Kirk Cousins’ name

“They go down and score on that first play and tie it up, which was a good thing because we got in the huddle and we weren’t even thinking any different, just going and playing ball again, which is a good thing. Kirk’s the man when we get in those situations. Two-minute drives this year, he’s been lights out. I hope you all are talking about that because he’s been incredible.”

Adam Thielen is absolutely right. Kirk Cousins is not getting enough credit for what he’s doing this season. He’s been a top-5 quarterback all season long and it’s not just about his stats this time. Don’t get me wrong, Kirk’s numbers are still elite (2,775 YDS, 21 TD, 2 INT). But in 2021, teams have consistently paid for allowing Cousins time to drive down the field late in games.

He’s been especially clutch the last two weeks, after Mike Zimmer and Klint Kubiak entrusted him to use his toolbelt of offensive weapons and close the games they had been losing far too often. That, as opposed to thinking the Vikings defense can stop opposing offenses late in the 4th quarter. That new trust, in turn, could save Zimmer, Spielman and Kirk’s job in 2022.

For the kids

Anyone who grew up in Minnesota as a Vikings fan took a dart to the proverbial heart during the 2nd part of Adam Thielen’s postgame interview. The homegrown wide receiver pulled teammates aside last week and explained to them what the Green Bay – Minnesota football rivalry really means to the many fans who devote their weekends and much of their lives to Vikings football.

How tomorrow, kids all over Minnesota will PROUDLY wear their purple into school and immediately confront Packer fans who were talking shit last week. How Sunday’s victory will carry the mood for those kids all week. And he’s absolutely corrent.

“A lot of guys, they know it’s a big deal but they don’t really understand if you don’t live it, you know? And just being able to talk to those guys and tell them… like wearing your Vikings jersey all week at school… And then going to school on Monday and all the Packers fans coming at you if you lose and giving you a hard time.

So I’m excited for all the kids going to school tomorrow wearing their Vikings stuff.”

And I can promise Mr. Thielen that it will be more than just children whose weeks are changed for the better because of Sunday’s victory.

Fuck the Packers.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan