Kirk Cousins' make-or-break season with Vikings begins Week 1 vs. Packers

Kirk Cousins is heading into a significant season for the Minnesota Vikings, starting with a Week 1 matchup at home against the Green Bay Packers. After the Vikings fired head coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman, the organization signed the quarterback to a one-year contract extension. 

The Vikings also moved on from 2021 third-round draft pick Kellen Mond, who they hoped would be the heir apparent to Cousins. Instead of a second-year QB waiting in the wings, the team traded for Las Vegas Raiders veteran Nick Mullens to back up Cousins. 

But Cousins' future with the Vikings -- who finished 8-9 last season -- remains a mystery. New regimes tend to move forward with a quarterback of their liking. With a stacked quarterback class for 2023, head coach Kevin O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could be eyeing the future while Cousins is under center this year. 

When Zimmer was hired as head coach for Minnesota in 2014, Spielman rewarded him with rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, moving on from draft bust Christian Ponder. Adofo-Mensah could do the same and draft an heir apparent for O'Connell. 

O'Connell served as the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl champion Rams last year, playing a significant part in Matthew Stafford's resurgence. While he could do the same for Cousins, it's a two-way street. If Cousins remains a .500 quarterback, the writing could be on the wall to move on. 

For Cousins, it starts Week 1 against the Packers. Facing a division rival is always key, and with home-field advantage, the pressure is on for Cousins to perform. 

On offense, Cousins has a revamped offensive line and returning weapons such as Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen. 

On defense, the Vikings will use a 3-4 instead of the 4-3 format they've run for years. With added pieces such as OLB Jordan Hicks and Za'Darius Smith, and rookies such as CB Andrew Booth, Jr. and safety Lewis Cine, the recipe for success is in place for the Vikings and Cousins. 

Now Cousins --the first QB to command a fully-guaranteed deal-- must show his worth to the new regime.