Report: O'Connell high on Cousins ahead of contract year

Kirk Cousins' future is the first major decision for the Minnesota Vikings' new leaders, and the quarterback apparently has a fan in his soon-to-be head coach.

Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell - who will reportedly be confirmed as the Vikings' new coach after Super Bowl LVI - is high on Cousins and "conveyed a firm belief" in him during the interview process with Minnesota, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports.

Cousins is heading into a contract year in 2022, and his $45-million cap hit is the third-highest in the NFL.

With the Vikings potentially eyeing a rebuild under O'Connell and new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, there's been speculation that Cousins could be on the trading block.

The veteran signal-caller put together another strong statistical campaign in his fourth season in Minnesota, throwing for 4,221 yards and 33 touchdowns against seven interceptions.

But the Vikings finished 8-9 to miss out on the playoffs for the third time since Cousins' arrival in 2018.

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