EXCLUSIVE: Vikings corner Duke Shelley reveals how Kirk Cousins responded to unexpected start to season

The Minnesota Vikings have been one of the best teams in the NFL through the first 11 weeks of the 2022 season as they boast a 8-2 record. They are currently the second seed in the NFC as they trail the Philadelphia Eagles, who are at the top with 9-1.

The Vikings have been led in offense by veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. He is in his fifth season with the team and hasn't started any of them as well as this one. He's thrown for 2,462 yards and 14 touchdowns this season with a quarterback rating of 89.5 and two rushing touchdowns.

Cousins has become a locker-room guy this season as he's been seen multiple times celebrating with teammates in Instagram videos, with chains and hats on, dancing.

Vikings defensive back Duke Shelley spoke with Sportskeeda in an exclusive interview and talked about how Cousins is soaking it all up. He also revealed how Shelley has been a great leader whose energy the team has fed off.

“He just loves it all man. He's soaking it all up but he's been doing great. I've definitely seen this company is just growing every week trusting his guys, the plays he's making in big time situations. The throws he's making in big time situation is big.

"So you know you can definitely feed off his energy from early in the week preparing down to the end of the week on Saturday, going through a walkthrough before the game until he's locked in so guys feed off that and just keep it going. He's definitely led us in the right direction, so we trust him.”

Kirk Cousins could become a free agent in 2024

Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins began his career with the Washington Redskins in 2012. He played six seasons in Washington and spent the first few years as a backup before earning a big payday in Minnesota.

On March 15, 2018, the Vikings signed Cousins to a three-year contract worth $84 million, fully guaranteed.

In 2020, he signed a two-year, $66 million contract extension with the Vikings. The quarterback then signed an extension through the 2023 season which was a one-year, $35 million fully guaranteed contract.

Cousins will be the Vikings quarterback for the remainder of this season and next season. Minnesota could extend him for another year or two or they could let him test the market and maybe look in a different direction by then.

In his career, Kirk Cousins is 67-61-2 as a starting quarterback and has thrown for 35,054 passing yards, 237 touchdowns, 88 rushing yards, and 19 rushing touchdowns.

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