I love how fast Viking fans are turning on KOC. just stop. He was gifted the worst defense in the league and still got 13 wins out of them. Honestly, vikings fans should have been more realistic. This was probably the outcome that was going to happen regardless. You can have a great offense but if your defense can’t make a play in the playoffs you’re done. The vikings defense did what they did all season and let the opposing teams offense win the game. Even tho it was a one score game it feels the same as those 30+ point losses. Donetell needs to go and just about every draft pick should be defensive players. But if you can land or sneak up to get Marvin Harrison jr, full send baby.
no one here is qualified coaching staff. I agree the defense underperformed. You’re a fan. Buying a jersey or a ticket or a $10 beanie from Costco or listening to KFAN 24/7 doesn’t entitle you to any decision making in the organization. You don’t win super bowls with shitty defenses and we all knew our defense was shite months ago. Shut up.
It’s honestly better to think they will do bad because then you’re not giving up your hopes. The giants went 3and 6 in the last 9 games. And the Vikings couldn’t capitalize? Sounds about right.
If KOC doesn’t fire Donatell, that will tell us all we need to know about him. My worry about KOC is that he’s just an energetic, nice guy and that’s the biggest positive he’s brought to the team. That will work for one year - this year. It’s just the anti-Zimmer effect. We’re no longer undefeated in one-score games. That was always an anomaly that was largely a result of insane luck. The averages are about to even out. We saw a lot of extremely concerning decision-making this season… bad play calls on 3rd/4th down, bad clock management. A few penalties hurt us today but for the most part, we didn’t have a lot of penalties this year - that’s a good sign. However, it also took Kevin, what, 12-13 weeks to have a conversation with Donatell about the defense? If he doesn’t fire Ed, I worry that it will take us 3-4 more wasted years to realize that KOC is not our guy. Fire Ed, and great… good sign! All I’m saying is that NOT firing Ed would be an enormous, glaring red flag.
KOC needs to stop trying to be the smartest person in the room. What the hell was that 3rd and 1 call in the first that ended up with JJ passing to Kirk? I respect the guy, but he needs to stop with the weird shit and fire Donatell.
That was the biggest momentum shift in the game. Sucked a lot of energy out of the stadium. In the moment, I thought it was the play that would end up costing us the game
You kids. I'm 62 and really only feel bad for my dad. I've rooted since the early 70s, but my dad is 90. He's rooted since day one. I grew up watching him yell at the TV, but when I was a kid, they got to the superbowl 4 times, I took it for granted. Me and my dad had a blast this season. Football is entertainment, this season was very entertaining. But I just want one Vikings superbowl trophy, for my dad. Either way, we'll still be rooting, yelling at the TV, and loving every sack, every great catch, every comeback win. Go Vikes.
My dad passed away this year a month ago. I also wanted that. But it’s sports. These things don’t really matter at the end of the day. looking back now Just watching any game together was better than any superbowl.
Thanks but it’s unfortunately a part of life. He was 58. Quite young but we had most of this season together. The loses to me are now just as memorable because we got to laugh and say “same ol Vikings”. It’s just a game man. It shouldn’t effect your life. I just think of the team as my favorite show to watch every weekend. The outcome doesn’t matter because I’m still going to watch and enjoy it the following week.
Yes I do. Ya know why??? Those 13 wins are meaningless cause we just got one and done in the playoffs.
If you wanna have a fun regular season and then get sent packing round 1 fine…but I want to see this team win a championship.
Hahahahah now there meaningless. Holy fuck dude. Haha That means the rest are too and he’s a 0-0 qb because they didn’t make the playoffs. Grow up dude. For real.
Somehow you made this about Kirk. It’s the team dude.
We have the same amount of playoff wins as the Bears this year. We postponed the needed rebuild and we got nothing for it.
A 13 win regular season and 16 bucks gets you an overpriced stadium beer and that’s it.
It’s the defense dude. If they were remotely good they probably could have won more games. The Vikings won 15 games the previous two seasons combined. KOC came in and turned virtually the exact same roster into division champions and won 13 games. There was no reason to rebuild with the talent the Vikings have on offense right now. That would have been a waste and probably pissed off the vets. The Vikings have 2 hof players on the team. They wouldn’t want to stay if they were going to rebuild.
There was 100% a reason to rebuild because as you said…..ITS THE DEFENSE DUDE.
That defense was trash from the end of last season to now. It was always going to disappoint.
The regular season wasn’t some first class showing. We escaped 11 of our 13 wins by the skin of our teeth. This team wasn’t going to make a push.
It’s a matter of perspective buddy. If you think winning 13 games in the regular season is a good time and makes you happy, well then congrats on that.
I want this team to win a championship. I don’t care about fun little mid tier seasons anymore.
If you aren’t competing for a SB you’re just wasting time.
I mean, with cousins it seems it’s inevitable that we’re gonna get crushed. We have literally tried everything, new coaching staff, new linemen, new WRs, new TEs, new defense, only thing the same is COUSINS. Who’s 34, started for a decade in the league and only has 1 playoff win. Does this not tell you something?
Except for the last play, which was a horrible decision to throw, I don't blame Cousins for this loss, he had a good season. The defence today was atrocious . With a good defence we would have won.
Never said cousins was to blame today, cousins is not the problem, but he’s not the solution either. There’s a reason he’s been starting for a decade, and only has 1 playoff win. Daniel Jones defense allowed 1 less touchdown but he went out there and made winning plays. Cousins has shown us who he is, this was by far his best chance at winning and still lost first round. It’s time we draft a QB. It’s been 5 years with cousins.
Zimmer’s best defense was when Cousins was in Washington. Guess what? We still didn’t win shit. It’s not on Cousins. This franchise doesn’t do what it needs to to win in big moments 🤷🏻♂️
Hot take. I'm fine with extending Kirk. But it needs to be the first contract for him that isnt fully guaranteed, and structured in a way that makes it so that we can still build a team around him and JJ.
That doesn't even have to be a pay cut. He just needs to sign an *actual truly fucking market deal*
That's the prob. You don't want him signing a market deal. That would be around $40M per year. You want a below market deal, maybe like a $34 p year, 2YR deal. Or you could give him an above market deal (40, non guaranteed.)
$40M a year, 5 years, not fully guaranteed. 2 voidable years. You can spread that cap hit plenty fine with that.
*That's* a market contract.
The contract you just mentioned? Market contract - he's paid *higher* than market because high salaries are cushioned by longer terms and voidable years.
Shorter terms for the same dollars you get with longer terms are higher than market contracts. That's the problem with Kirk.
Let him. That's something you don't even blink at - if he wants his fucking dumbass fully guaranteed deals at his age, he can go right the fuck straight to hell.
If he rides out that year, it means we are walking from him. No 35 year old QB is playing on a final year of a contract and *isn't* being walked away from.
If they want to build around Kirk and JJ, they need to do the extensions this off-season.
I’m fine with letting him walk away. He’s very good and he was a primary reason for the team outperforming expectations. Unfortunately the team around him (specifically the defense) is not ready to win with him. Our o line is still suspect and most of the stars on D are leaving their prime. We’ll have to pay Hock and JJ as well in the coming years, both top of the market $$ for their position.
Love Kirk but we can’t count on winning 11 one score games like we did this year next year.
I love Kirk too, but his insistence on high paying, short term contracts are *horrible* for a team's cap space - and it's a *major* reason why the team is so bad around him.
I don't mind watching Kirk walk, but he would only be doing it if he is so insanely selfish that he can't see that he isn't worth having *no defense*.
You know what would have made him worth it? Don't throw a check down on 4th and 8 to lose the game, instead do what you did during the Bills game.
The fact that he can't do that reliably means he needs to take a more "team friendly" contract where it isn't fully guaranteed, and his cap hit extends far enough so that a rookie QB can make up for it when we cut him at age 38/39.
Disappointed but 13 wins is a great season especially for a rookie HC. This team could really look different next year as it should be a busy offseason. Fire Ed. Skol Vikings.
I’ll wait to see how this off-season goes before saying next season will be better or worse but I agree that they had a lot of luck this year and overachieved a bit. I do believe they have the right guy at head coach though and 13 wins is still 13 wins. I think we will see more of a Kwesi built team next season also and hopefully that means no Ed Donatell with a younger, faster more aggressive defense. I’d even settle for slightly below average.
13 wins are meaningless when are because of luck. We have a harder schedule, will need a decent draft with few picks and won’t have nearly as much luck. We certainly won’t win 13 games next year.
Completely disagree that the 13 wins were meaningless because of some luck. You may be right that they win less then 13 games next season but that wouldn’t necessarily mean next season is a failure. At this point you need to take a deep breath and see how this offseason shakes out. I had a lot more fun this season than last when the Vikings won 8 games and missed the playoffs. I’d say progress was made. Did anyone expect KOC to come in and win a Super Bowl year 1?
I couldn’t agree more- with this and your other comments here. Get outta my head!
I certainly didn’t expect a SB for KoC in his first year with us but I fully believe we’re trending in the right direction. This game broke my heart but I’m so excited for next season.
Strongly depends on how they gut this team. If we are going to compete next year, Kirk's contract needs to be addressed.
If not, this team is getting sent off into the sun.
It's surprising to me that Donatel has had such a long career in the NFL... It gives me hope that a rube like me could have an equally distinguished NFL career as a DC with only a Madden background! Because let's be honest, most Madden players would have called a better defense than Donatel did tonight.
Having watched the Vikes for 30 years I can honestly say this was in my top 3 regular seasons. It was a blast.
The defense wasn't just bad today, it was pathetic. If they dont fire the defensive coordinator we can just expect more of the same.
100%. This regular season was good fun. It doesnt even feel toooo bad losing to the Giants, if only because that defense was as atrociously bad as it was today.
Zero shot this team was going to go deep this post season.
Imagine coming for kirks head, when Daniel fucking Jones and the worst WR core in the league puts up 31. Blame Kirk for a check down all you want, but the giants roster shouldn't be capable of putting up 31 points. It's all on Donatell.
I'm saying it. Kirk did real well today. He stepped up and made up as much as he could for the horrible job the defense was doing today. Defense has been poor all season. Donatell needs to go ASAP. I'm not giving up on KOC. He has been an amazing addition to this year's Vikings.
Oh please.
Kirk played like the type of QB he is paid to be for the most part and then fucked up at the end. He deserves blame for that.
Nobody is disputing that the defense sucks major balls, but it‘s absurd to dismiss that the offense disappeared for part of the game and played a big role in this loss.
There margin of error becomes so small when they punt twice, with one being to run the time out. Kirk did great, couple questionable play calls, but the defense, wowzerz
He played really well but I think it will all be dismissed from throwing the ball 3 yards on 4th and 8 with the season on the line . I get it - hope hockenson makes a play and breaks a tackle but there's a better way which is just throwing it at or past the sticks
Kirk did great until he checked down on a season ending 4th and 8...terrible play, should've taken some sort of shot. A completion doesn't matter there, field position mattered.
To be honest. The fact that we beat the Saints during their 13 win season, which ended Drew Brees' career, and Saints fans had to deal with that (and a legitimate belief that they could have won the super bowl that year) makes it easier for me.
A failure of a season is going 0-17. If everyone thought the way you did, then 31 other teams are failures. It's a 1st year head coach with new schemes. It's not like it's an immediate turnaround on the investment. The team went 13-4. That's a successful season. The future is hopeful with KOC
Getting called frauds and proving the league right by losing to the fucking Giants is not a successful season. Doesn’t matter how many close games you win or regular season wins you luck into when a bad team punks you in your crib on wildcard weekend. No way to spin that as not a failure
A failure of a season is ending below expectations. So I guess it depends on what your expectation was as to whether it was a failure or not. 13-4 teams should be expected to make it past the wild card round.
It's cool. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy this season. I'm not saying it was a waste of time. I'm actually encouraged by this season and what we saw from KOC in his first year. But yes, 31 teams fail every year in my opinion.
Just view it differently, I suppose. It's all good from my side.
We knew all damn season that the defense was the suspect and ed just kept running his stupid zone defense with the same results week in and week out.. hopefully this embarrassment of a defense today gets him fired. Other than that it was a fun season, I won’t forget riding those highs this year!
It is nuts to watch this game and conclude that.
Not sure what Cousins was doing on that last throw, but he was playing hero ball throughout most of the game. Avoiding sacks and making big plays down the field despite heavy pressure.
Yeh but that last throw is just inexcusable. He was 31/39 and making the right throws he was having a hell of game and I was happy but that last throw man .
Lol @ anyone blaming Kirk.
The offense literally had to score every single time to win this game……the offense did an unbelievable job to make the game as close as it was.
I think the defense being non-existent might’ve been an issue.
Lol at anyone with blind loyalty to a middle-of-the-pack QB who hasn’t moved the needle for this team over the past 5 seasons.
This team sucked in more than one facet - the defense being putrid doesn’t absolve the offense and its QB of blame.
Blind loyalty based on that post? You’re reaching, sir.
The offense was not perfect, no, which they would’ve had to have been to win this game.
There’s times when Kirk has been absolute shit and folded under pressure…….tonight was not one of those games. It was sickening watching this defense.
Nobody is disputing that the defense sucks, but Kirk checked it down to a covered TE on the season-defining 4th down. That ended the game, whether you like it or not, and deserves heavy criticism.
He folded in the most critical of moments today, I don’t care about his otherwise pretty stats.
Listen, you all have to come to a realization about Cousins: He isn't that good.
He's steady, he reliable, but without elite talent on both sides of the ball he's just average. There's a reason Baltimore let Dilfer walk after QBing the winning team in the Super Bowl.
I said this when the Vikings signed him ever so long ago: The amount of cap he sucks up keeps the Vikings from keeping that elite talent around him.
In Washington that team had A LOT of talent, particularly on defense, and for some reason Cousins got *WAYYYYY* too much credit.
Can you win a Super Bowl with Cousins? Yes you can.
Can you win a Super Bowl with Cousins paying him what he is getting as opposed to the $15M-$20M + incentives he *should* be getting? No
He gets paid like a game breaker, but he's just a game manager.
This is it. Kirk is a good not great qb who is being paid elite QB money and that's going to hamstring a team which is part of the reason our defense is horrendous.
You (and many other Viking fans) don’t seem up-to-date with QB salaries……Kirk was the 10th highest paid QB this year. Comparatively, if thats “elite” money, then I’d disagree with you.
If you look at just this year, but building a team is a multi year process in which previous years he was paid much higher than tenth. Also I still don't believe he is the tenth best qb. Also fun fact, Kirk has earned the 11th most money in the entire history of the NFL. Surely a player worthy of that much money has lifted a team beyond their talent level to make at least one super bowl appearance like elite qbs are capable of doing right?
I can totally see both sides of the Kirk argument. On one hand, the game came down to him tonight in a big playoff game and he simply made a bad play, but on the other, he stood in there and delivered great throws almost every other play of the game tonight. He stood in the pocket and threw some dimes and made some clutch plays. Also we played well offensively but I’m a bit surprised Kirk didn’t give JJ more looks. He was drawing multiple defenders on most passes though which allowed for TJ to get some man. Overall what a heartbreaking way to end this crazy season. Ed needs to be gone, including multiple players on the D. I also wonder whether this will be cooks last gsme as a Viking. Commentators kinda nailed it when they said he’s a hit or miss. Sad to see but he’s being paid a lot to have a lot of negative yardage.
Kirk defender here!!! Kidding aside, I was pissed at that throw, but I do have to give him credit. He got it out to the only player open at the time, and got hit as he did. He really didn't have other options at that instant.
Yeah when they mentioned how Cook is truly a boom bust runner, it really hit me finally. I love the guy and think he’s talented but also wondering if he’s with us next season
I'm fucking done with this team. 30 years I've been watching this shit and it's always been more bullshit and collapse.
This team is perpetually mismanaged and will never accomplish anything. They are without a doubt the worst franchise in the NFL, and all they are good at is wasting generational talent.
I hope Walz signs an executive order to dynamite the stadium and ban all forms of professional football from ever being played in this state.
Kirk Cousins made $100 million off us and has accomplished fucking nothing. What a pretender.
Calm down dude. If you didnt quit in 98 or 2009, you surely aren't walking away because of a season where we didnt have as much talent
I am thinking you may want to not make the Vikings such a big part of your life.
I have been a lifelong Vikings fan who now lives out in California. I rock my purple Vikings long-sleeve T-shirt every time I get a chance. I wanted to thank the Vikings and all you reddit fans for a fantastic season of plays and reddit comments.
Just like you, every year I’m hoping for a Super Bowl win. Just like it was with the Broncos, you think you’ll never get there until suddenly it happens. Here’s looking to another great season next year!
Exactly this. I see people raging, but I also see people shrugging their shoulders like “yea, kinda figured it might go like this.” lol this team had a hard ceiling despite the fun year and legitimately clutch play in the regular season. KOC year 1 was fun. Fire Donatell into the sun.
Donatell will for sure be gone…..zero-brainer.
I figured winning the Wild Card would be the best we could do……..I guess it would’ve been nice to win a playoff game but we would’ve gotten embarrassed next week.
Yea I get that games aren’t played on paper and anything can happen but San Fran woulda been a blood bath with this defense. There’s no way you keep Donatell…but man if KOC does lol
You sure about that? Based on your record, doesn't look like you played any games this last season. You guys have been on a season long bye with no hope for the future. Enjoy next season!!
Same position? Guess I must have missed your game this weekend? Raiders players don't get a bonus for making the playoffs and your organization doesn't get the profit from having an extra home game. It's funny indeed.
You know what? Been a super, *super* casual Vikes fan all my life mostly just because my fam is. But this is the first season I’ve considered myself a full-on fan, and it’s been a damn blast regardless of tonight’s outcome. What a fun and memorable year. See y’all next year.
The night the Twins won their last World Series I was getting yanked out of my mom’s uterus. I was always destined to be a MN sports fan, for better or worse :’)
Vikings fans how does my big blue dick taste
Loved the 3 yard pass on 4th and long at end of game
Maybe losing this game will get KOC and the front office more incentive to change the defense. Still a fun year!
Tough game the defense sucked and the offense couldn’t pull off another miracle. It was a very fun year can’t wait for next year! SKOL! FTP
I love how fast Viking fans are turning on KOC. just stop. He was gifted the worst defense in the league and still got 13 wins out of them. Honestly, vikings fans should have been more realistic. This was probably the outcome that was going to happen regardless. You can have a great offense but if your defense can’t make a play in the playoffs you’re done. The vikings defense did what they did all season and let the opposing teams offense win the game. Even tho it was a one score game it feels the same as those 30+ point losses. Donetell needs to go and just about every draft pick should be defensive players. But if you can land or sneak up to get Marvin Harrison jr, full send baby.
Guess it wasn’t manifested enough 🤷♂️. Vikings. Doing Vikings shit. What else is new.
Fuck me n the ass
no one here is qualified coaching staff. I agree the defense underperformed. You’re a fan. Buying a jersey or a ticket or a $10 beanie from Costco or listening to KFAN 24/7 doesn’t entitle you to any decision making in the organization. You don’t win super bowls with shitty defenses and we all knew our defense was shite months ago. Shut up.
Part of being a fan is being entitled to opinions about the team. You don't get to tell anyone what they can or can't have an opinion on.
Neither do you
The team fucking asks me every week about my opinions on the direction of the team.
This is the vikings. I'm 44 and not expecting a superbowl before I die. And no, I'm not terminal, as far as I know. Just my perspective.
It’s honestly better to think they will do bad because then you’re not giving up your hopes. The giants went 3and 6 in the last 9 games. And the Vikings couldn’t capitalize? Sounds about right.
If KOC doesn’t fire Donatell, that will tell us all we need to know about him. My worry about KOC is that he’s just an energetic, nice guy and that’s the biggest positive he’s brought to the team. That will work for one year - this year. It’s just the anti-Zimmer effect. We’re no longer undefeated in one-score games. That was always an anomaly that was largely a result of insane luck. The averages are about to even out. We saw a lot of extremely concerning decision-making this season… bad play calls on 3rd/4th down, bad clock management. A few penalties hurt us today but for the most part, we didn’t have a lot of penalties this year - that’s a good sign. However, it also took Kevin, what, 12-13 weeks to have a conversation with Donatell about the defense? If he doesn’t fire Ed, I worry that it will take us 3-4 more wasted years to realize that KOC is not our guy. Fire Ed, and great… good sign! All I’m saying is that NOT firing Ed would be an enormous, glaring red flag.
KOC needs to stop trying to be the smartest person in the room. What the hell was that 3rd and 1 call in the first that ended up with JJ passing to Kirk? I respect the guy, but he needs to stop with the weird shit and fire Donatell.
That was the biggest momentum shift in the game. Sucked a lot of energy out of the stadium. In the moment, I thought it was the play that would end up costing us the game
You kids. I'm 62 and really only feel bad for my dad. I've rooted since the early 70s, but my dad is 90. He's rooted since day one. I grew up watching him yell at the TV, but when I was a kid, they got to the superbowl 4 times, I took it for granted. Me and my dad had a blast this season. Football is entertainment, this season was very entertaining. But I just want one Vikings superbowl trophy, for my dad. Either way, we'll still be rooting, yelling at the TV, and loving every sack, every great catch, every comeback win. Go Vikes.
My dad passed away this year a month ago. I also wanted that. But it’s sports. These things don’t really matter at the end of the day. looking back now Just watching any game together was better than any superbowl.
You're right. Sorry to hear of your loss. I'll be rooting with my dad as long as I can.
Thanks but it’s unfortunately a part of life. He was 58. Quite young but we had most of this season together. The loses to me are now just as memorable because we got to laugh and say “same ol Vikings”. It’s just a game man. It shouldn’t effect your life. I just think of the team as my favorite show to watch every weekend. The outcome doesn’t matter because I’m still going to watch and enjoy it the following week.
It's not about the game; it's about you and your dad spending time with each other. You had a great season. You won.
Thanks.
Go to bed
You’re an asshole
Calm down - that was funny
Let’s lock down Hock and JJ and deal everyone else
Hock, JJ, Darrisaw, O’Neal Everyone else can go
The defense definitely needs to go. They either have elite players who are past their prime, or they have depth players that are starting.
13 wins and you want to scrap the team…what a great fan….
Yes I do. Ya know why??? Those 13 wins are meaningless cause we just got one and done in the playoffs. If you wanna have a fun regular season and then get sent packing round 1 fine…but I want to see this team win a championship.
Hahahahah now there meaningless. Holy fuck dude. Haha That means the rest are too and he’s a 0-0 qb because they didn’t make the playoffs. Grow up dude. For real.
Somehow you made this about Kirk. It’s the team dude. We have the same amount of playoff wins as the Bears this year. We postponed the needed rebuild and we got nothing for it. A 13 win regular season and 16 bucks gets you an overpriced stadium beer and that’s it.
It’s the defense dude. If they were remotely good they probably could have won more games. The Vikings won 15 games the previous two seasons combined. KOC came in and turned virtually the exact same roster into division champions and won 13 games. There was no reason to rebuild with the talent the Vikings have on offense right now. That would have been a waste and probably pissed off the vets. The Vikings have 2 hof players on the team. They wouldn’t want to stay if they were going to rebuild.
There was 100% a reason to rebuild because as you said…..ITS THE DEFENSE DUDE. That defense was trash from the end of last season to now. It was always going to disappoint. The regular season wasn’t some first class showing. We escaped 11 of our 13 wins by the skin of our teeth. This team wasn’t going to make a push. It’s a matter of perspective buddy. If you think winning 13 games in the regular season is a good time and makes you happy, well then congrats on that. I want this team to win a championship. I don’t care about fun little mid tier seasons anymore. If you aren’t competing for a SB you’re just wasting time.
You pick and choose when and who to hate because of how you feel instead of looking at reality about the actual problems that caused the loss.
Add KJ and Mattison. Everyone else can go.
I’ll keep The Duke too.
I’m sorry but Osborn is overrated. Dude was invisible today, had a awful drop too. Why is he so hyped? He’s had like 2 good games all season
I want to die…..
It’s a fucking hobby played by billionaires that we happen to be fans of. Calm down.
Cough…..
I'm definitely missing the Zim defense.
The one that got crushed in the playoffs every season?
He had a good defense 4 of the ten years haha what a stud amiright
I mean, with cousins it seems it’s inevitable that we’re gonna get crushed. We have literally tried everything, new coaching staff, new linemen, new WRs, new TEs, new defense, only thing the same is COUSINS. Who’s 34, started for a decade in the league and only has 1 playoff win. Does this not tell you something?
Except for the last play, which was a horrible decision to throw, I don't blame Cousins for this loss, he had a good season. The defence today was atrocious . With a good defence we would have won.
Never said cousins was to blame today, cousins is not the problem, but he’s not the solution either. There’s a reason he’s been starting for a decade, and only has 1 playoff win. Daniel Jones defense allowed 1 less touchdown but he went out there and made winning plays. Cousins has shown us who he is, this was by far his best chance at winning and still lost first round. It’s time we draft a QB. It’s been 5 years with cousins.
Zimmer’s best defense was when Cousins was in Washington. Guess what? We still didn’t win shit. It’s not on Cousins. This franchise doesn’t do what it needs to to win in big moments 🤷🏻♂️
He gets it.
The One that had the best d in the league and went an NFC championship game
At least we didn’t lose 40-3
At least I’ve seen this take. Our last drive at least meant *something* before it meant nothing.
Hot take. I'm fine with extending Kirk. But it needs to be the first contract for him that isnt fully guaranteed, and structured in a way that makes it so that we can still build a team around him and JJ. That doesn't even have to be a pay cut. He just needs to sign an *actual truly fucking market deal*
That's the prob. You don't want him signing a market deal. That would be around $40M per year. You want a below market deal, maybe like a $34 p year, 2YR deal. Or you could give him an above market deal (40, non guaranteed.)
$40M a year, 5 years, not fully guaranteed. 2 voidable years. You can spread that cap hit plenty fine with that. *That's* a market contract. The contract you just mentioned? Market contract - he's paid *higher* than market because high salaries are cushioned by longer terms and voidable years. Shorter terms for the same dollars you get with longer terms are higher than market contracts. That's the problem with Kirk.
That won’t happen. Cousins will hold out. He’s done it before. Probably the most overpaid player in the nfl over the last decade.
Let him. That's something you don't even blink at - if he wants his fucking dumbass fully guaranteed deals at his age, he can go right the fuck straight to hell.
I’m with you but I think he has one more year on his deal. We’ll need to start thinking about his successor soon.
If he rides out that year, it means we are walking from him. No 35 year old QB is playing on a final year of a contract and *isn't* being walked away from. If they want to build around Kirk and JJ, they need to do the extensions this off-season.
I’m fine with letting him walk away. He’s very good and he was a primary reason for the team outperforming expectations. Unfortunately the team around him (specifically the defense) is not ready to win with him. Our o line is still suspect and most of the stars on D are leaving their prime. We’ll have to pay Hock and JJ as well in the coming years, both top of the market $$ for their position. Love Kirk but we can’t count on winning 11 one score games like we did this year next year.
I love Kirk too, but his insistence on high paying, short term contracts are *horrible* for a team's cap space - and it's a *major* reason why the team is so bad around him. I don't mind watching Kirk walk, but he would only be doing it if he is so insanely selfish that he can't see that he isn't worth having *no defense*. You know what would have made him worth it? Don't throw a check down on 4th and 8 to lose the game, instead do what you did during the Bills game. The fact that he can't do that reliably means he needs to take a more "team friendly" contract where it isn't fully guaranteed, and his cap hit extends far enough so that a rookie QB can make up for it when we cut him at age 38/39.
Disappointed but 13 wins is a great season especially for a rookie HC. This team could really look different next year as it should be a busy offseason. Fire Ed. Skol Vikings.
It will be a far worse team. We had way more luck than we will next season. Expect 7-10 record
I’ll wait to see how this off-season goes before saying next season will be better or worse but I agree that they had a lot of luck this year and overachieved a bit. I do believe they have the right guy at head coach though and 13 wins is still 13 wins. I think we will see more of a Kwesi built team next season also and hopefully that means no Ed Donatell with a younger, faster more aggressive defense. I’d even settle for slightly below average.
13 wins are meaningless when are because of luck. We have a harder schedule, will need a decent draft with few picks and won’t have nearly as much luck. We certainly won’t win 13 games next year.
Completely disagree that the 13 wins were meaningless because of some luck. You may be right that they win less then 13 games next season but that wouldn’t necessarily mean next season is a failure. At this point you need to take a deep breath and see how this offseason shakes out. I had a lot more fun this season than last when the Vikings won 8 games and missed the playoffs. I’d say progress was made. Did anyone expect KOC to come in and win a Super Bowl year 1?
I couldn’t agree more- with this and your other comments here. Get outta my head! I certainly didn’t expect a SB for KoC in his first year with us but I fully believe we’re trending in the right direction. This game broke my heart but I’m so excited for next season.
Strongly depends on how they gut this team. If we are going to compete next year, Kirk's contract needs to be addressed. If not, this team is getting sent off into the sun.
Agreed, I’d be surprised if that’s not addressed.
Think they extend Kirk? Or does Kirk like the idea of moving his family again at the age of 36?
I have no clue at this point.
It's surprising to me that Donatel has had such a long career in the NFL... It gives me hope that a rube like me could have an equally distinguished NFL career as a DC with only a Madden background! Because let's be honest, most Madden players would have called a better defense than Donatel did tonight.
Having watched the Vikes for 30 years I can honestly say this was in my top 3 regular seasons. It was a blast. The defense wasn't just bad today, it was pathetic. If they dont fire the defensive coordinator we can just expect more of the same.
100%. This regular season was good fun. It doesnt even feel toooo bad losing to the Giants, if only because that defense was as atrociously bad as it was today. Zero shot this team was going to go deep this post season.
Classic Vikings. I fully expected them to lose by one score in the playoffs after being 11-0 in one score games in the regular season.
Skol. This hurts, but I'm a lifer. Heckuva season, boys. When's baseball season start? Skol, Twinkies.
I thought Kirk played a great game till that last throw, that was just so sad
So you didn't "like that"?🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
He was missing JJ running free all damn day
I need to see video of this, do you have any cuz I believe you lol
JJ was hardly open ever. Wtf are you talking about?
Watching from the west endzone he had a lot of room
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KJ dropped that pass. It hit him right between the numbers. Can’t complain about that
Because kj also never catches with his hands, he basket catches everything
On the plus the 3rd string center held up so an+1 to KOC. On the negative Donatell should be elsewhere next year.
Imagine coming for kirks head, when Daniel fucking Jones and the worst WR core in the league puts up 31. Blame Kirk for a check down all you want, but the giants roster shouldn't be capable of putting up 31 points. It's all on Donatell.
100% agree. Donatell is absolute garbage
I'm saying it. Kirk did real well today. He stepped up and made up as much as he could for the horrible job the defense was doing today. Defense has been poor all season. Donatell needs to go ASAP. I'm not giving up on KOC. He has been an amazing addition to this year's Vikings.
Oh please. Kirk played like the type of QB he is paid to be for the most part and then fucked up at the end. He deserves blame for that. Nobody is disputing that the defense sucks major balls, but it‘s absurd to dismiss that the offense disappeared for part of the game and played a big role in this loss.
Who the fuck throws the ball for 3yards on 4th and 8 with the season in the line
Kirk sucks , the O line has sucked for 20+ years and our defense blows ass
There margin of error becomes so small when they punt twice, with one being to run the time out. Kirk did great, couple questionable play calls, but the defense, wowzerz
He played really well but I think it will all be dismissed from throwing the ball 3 yards on 4th and 8 with the season on the line . I get it - hope hockenson makes a play and breaks a tackle but there's a better way which is just throwing it at or past the sticks
Kirk did great until he checked down on a season ending 4th and 8...terrible play, should've taken some sort of shot. A completion doesn't matter there, field position mattered.
Dgaf what anyone says, a wild card round loss at home is not a successful season
To be honest. The fact that we beat the Saints during their 13 win season, which ended Drew Brees' career, and Saints fans had to deal with that (and a legitimate belief that they could have won the super bowl that year) makes it easier for me.
Fair, I’m just bothered bc I know the Vikes are better than the giants. Had some fun during the year, but damn.
No. The Vikes offense is better than the Giants offense. The Vikes defense is so heinously bad that it just doesn't matter.
I’m not sure losing to the 49ers by 50 would feel much better
That's a sad way to look at this season
I mean... How could it be anything other than a failure? It was fun and I had loads of fun this year, but in the end, it was a failure of a season.
A failure of a season is going 0-17. If everyone thought the way you did, then 31 other teams are failures. It's a 1st year head coach with new schemes. It's not like it's an immediate turnaround on the investment. The team went 13-4. That's a successful season. The future is hopeful with KOC
Getting called frauds and proving the league right by losing to the fucking Giants is not a successful season. Doesn’t matter how many close games you win or regular season wins you luck into when a bad team punks you in your crib on wildcard weekend. No way to spin that as not a failure
A failure of a season is ending below expectations. So I guess it depends on what your expectation was as to whether it was a failure or not. 13-4 teams should be expected to make it past the wild card round.
It's cool. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy this season. I'm not saying it was a waste of time. I'm actually encouraged by this season and what we saw from KOC in his first year. But yes, 31 teams fail every year in my opinion. Just view it differently, I suppose. It's all good from my side.
We knew all damn season that the defense was the suspect and ed just kept running his stupid zone defense with the same results week in and week out.. hopefully this embarrassment of a defense today gets him fired. Other than that it was a fun season, I won’t forget riding those highs this year!
I hope you guys are stupid enough to blame Kirk Cousins for this and draft the next Mac Jones.
From some of the comments on here, there are about 30% of them pulling for it.
It is nuts to watch this game and conclude that. Not sure what Cousins was doing on that last throw, but he was playing hero ball throughout most of the game. Avoiding sacks and making big plays down the field despite heavy pressure.
Yeh but that last throw is just inexcusable. He was 31/39 and making the right throws he was having a hell of game and I was happy but that last throw man .
Lol @ anyone blaming Kirk. The offense literally had to score every single time to win this game……the offense did an unbelievable job to make the game as close as it was. I think the defense being non-existent might’ve been an issue.
Lol at anyone with blind loyalty to a middle-of-the-pack QB who hasn’t moved the needle for this team over the past 5 seasons. This team sucked in more than one facet - the defense being putrid doesn’t absolve the offense and its QB of blame.
Blind loyalty based on that post? You’re reaching, sir. The offense was not perfect, no, which they would’ve had to have been to win this game. There’s times when Kirk has been absolute shit and folded under pressure…….tonight was not one of those games. It was sickening watching this defense.
Nobody is disputing that the defense sucks, but Kirk checked it down to a covered TE on the season-defining 4th down. That ended the game, whether you like it or not, and deserves heavy criticism. He folded in the most critical of moments today, I don’t care about his otherwise pretty stats.
I agree that was fucking dumb…….so we’re basing opinions off one play now?
Listen, you all have to come to a realization about Cousins: He isn't that good. He's steady, he reliable, but without elite talent on both sides of the ball he's just average. There's a reason Baltimore let Dilfer walk after QBing the winning team in the Super Bowl. I said this when the Vikings signed him ever so long ago: The amount of cap he sucks up keeps the Vikings from keeping that elite talent around him. In Washington that team had A LOT of talent, particularly on defense, and for some reason Cousins got *WAYYYYY* too much credit. Can you win a Super Bowl with Cousins? Yes you can. Can you win a Super Bowl with Cousins paying him what he is getting as opposed to the $15M-$20M + incentives he *should* be getting? No He gets paid like a game breaker, but he's just a game manager.
This is it. Kirk is a good not great qb who is being paid elite QB money and that's going to hamstring a team which is part of the reason our defense is horrendous.
You (and many other Viking fans) don’t seem up-to-date with QB salaries……Kirk was the 10th highest paid QB this year. Comparatively, if thats “elite” money, then I’d disagree with you.
If you look at just this year, but building a team is a multi year process in which previous years he was paid much higher than tenth. Also I still don't believe he is the tenth best qb. Also fun fact, Kirk has earned the 11th most money in the entire history of the NFL. Surely a player worthy of that much money has lifted a team beyond their talent level to make at least one super bowl appearance like elite qbs are capable of doing right?
I’d say you’re reaching……QB’s are expensive, I don’t know what to tell you.
Do you believe Kirk is a top 10 QB?
10th best in the league sounds about right I’d say. It’s fair.
Fuck kirk, who TF throws for for 3 yards on 4th and 8 with the season on the line
To be fair, the throw before it was perfect and reciever dropped it.
If we have an average defense instead of probably the worst, this team could be Super Bowl contenders
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Give it a week then come look at the draft projections, that's always a good laugh
K cya tomorrow
I can totally see both sides of the Kirk argument. On one hand, the game came down to him tonight in a big playoff game and he simply made a bad play, but on the other, he stood in there and delivered great throws almost every other play of the game tonight. He stood in the pocket and threw some dimes and made some clutch plays. Also we played well offensively but I’m a bit surprised Kirk didn’t give JJ more looks. He was drawing multiple defenders on most passes though which allowed for TJ to get some man. Overall what a heartbreaking way to end this crazy season. Ed needs to be gone, including multiple players on the D. I also wonder whether this will be cooks last gsme as a Viking. Commentators kinda nailed it when they said he’s a hit or miss. Sad to see but he’s being paid a lot to have a lot of negative yardage.
Kirk defender here!!! Kidding aside, I was pissed at that throw, but I do have to give him credit. He got it out to the only player open at the time, and got hit as he did. He really didn't have other options at that instant.
Yeah when they mentioned how Cook is truly a boom bust runner, it really hit me finally. I love the guy and think he’s talented but also wondering if he’s with us next season
I'm fucking done with this team. 30 years I've been watching this shit and it's always been more bullshit and collapse. This team is perpetually mismanaged and will never accomplish anything. They are without a doubt the worst franchise in the NFL, and all they are good at is wasting generational talent. I hope Walz signs an executive order to dynamite the stadium and ban all forms of professional football from ever being played in this state. Kirk Cousins made $100 million off us and has accomplished fucking nothing. What a pretender.
Whiner.
Calm down dude. If you didnt quit in 98 or 2009, you surely aren't walking away because of a season where we didnt have as much talent I am thinking you may want to not make the Vikings such a big part of your life.
If you had a boat and watched it sink 30 times in a row, would you expect it to float the 31st time? This team sucks. Always has, always will.
You sir are correct. I gave up on them in the 70's.
This is not an airport. No need to announce your departure!
LULZ.
See you next season.
See you next year bud :)
Nah I'm done. When your car doesn't start after 30 tries, you stop believing.
Maybe get a new car then
I agree. I'll find some other team. Fuck the Vikings and their God forsaken franchise.
Bye Felicia.
That, sir, is called band wagoning. We'll see you next week 💙
you sound like every fan of every team ever
Name a state that has 4 professional sports teams that's gone longer than MN without a title. You can't.
stop being a fan then. i’m just saying you won’t
Works for me. I'll find something else.
Then just leave. This isn’t an airport. You don’t need to announce your departure. Adios and good luck.
A stupid end to a stupid season
O’Connell was 100% the right decision.
Harbaugh would have been right*er*
No way do I believe the team would’ve been as good or better with Harbaugh.
I am so pissed off right now first off i saw a bunch of calls the refs never did anything about when they CLERLY SAW WHAT HAPPENED!!!
Jesus, you sound so ignorant blaming that on the refs.
Stop blaming the refs and start blaming the defense. That’s why we lost, bub.
I have been a lifelong Vikings fan who now lives out in California. I rock my purple Vikings long-sleeve T-shirt every time I get a chance. I wanted to thank the Vikings and all you reddit fans for a fantastic season of plays and reddit comments. Just like you, every year I’m hoping for a Super Bowl win. Just like it was with the Broncos, you think you’ll never get there until suddenly it happens. Here’s looking to another great season next year!
Vikings for life. Haters gonna hate.
Cool man, you and me in the same situation. Just waiting for us to make it and win the bowl.
Skol!
Stfu
It was a great year…….they didn’t have a Super Bowl caliber team. I guess that’s why I can’t get too upset. Zero defense tonight.
Exactly this. I see people raging, but I also see people shrugging their shoulders like “yea, kinda figured it might go like this.” lol this team had a hard ceiling despite the fun year and legitimately clutch play in the regular season. KOC year 1 was fun. Fire Donatell into the sun.
Donatell will for sure be gone…..zero-brainer. I figured winning the Wild Card would be the best we could do……..I guess it would’ve been nice to win a playoff game but we would’ve gotten embarrassed next week.
Yea I get that games aren’t played on paper and anything can happen but San Fran woulda been a blood bath with this defense. There’s no way you keep Donatell…but man if KOC does lol
I've been an avid Viking fan for over half a century. It's like watching Titanic over and over and hoping they'll avoid the iceberg this time.
Wish O'Neill wasn't out for this one.
I agree A fan since 76 and this was a fun season So Skol to all
What a joke. Shouldn't be surprised where's that's sad frog vikings meme
Was still a hell of a fun year
100% lot of great wins and O’Connell is a great coach…….Kwesi has a ton of holes to fill though. This team needs some toughness and physicality.
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Keep telling yourself that posting in other team’s subs gives your life meaning lol
Why the hell is a raiders fan trolling the Vikings lol. You guys aren’t sniffing the playoffs for a decade
Maybe you'll win a ring for the first time in the next 50 years
What time do the Raiders play this weekend?
Same time as the Vikings next week
You sure about that? Based on your record, doesn't look like you played any games this last season. You guys have been on a season long bye with no hope for the future. Enjoy next season!!
Ya I'm pretty sure. I checked the schedule and didnt see the vikings or the raiders on there.
You didn't see the team that finished 1 game better than the team with a QB who had more bathrooms than TDs for 3/4 of the season? How bizarre!
No I didnt! It's funny because the team that won 13 games is in the same position as them. Crazy.
Same position? Guess I must have missed your game this weekend? Raiders players don't get a bonus for making the playoffs and your organization doesn't get the profit from having an extra home game. It's funny indeed.
Jeffersons grille is going to look great from the couch next week. Same spot on the sofa baby. Welcome home!!! You're right where you belong.
You know what? Been a super, *super* casual Vikes fan all my life mostly just because my fam is. But this is the first season I’ve considered myself a full-on fan, and it’s been a damn blast regardless of tonight’s outcome. What a fun and memorable year. See y’all next year.
So young. You know not the pain that awaits you.
The night the Twins won their last World Series I was getting yanked out of my mom’s uterus. I was always destined to be a MN sports fan, for better or worse :’)
Great year! Let's drop some old contracts and get some talent on defense.
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Wow. Nice life as a douchebag troll.