Kirk Cousins Makes Clear Statement on Minnesota Vikings Return

The Minnesota Vikings (6-2) have traded for their team's former starting quarterback Kirk Cousins. The signal caller is ready to redeem himself.

Cousins did not get it done in his first stint in Minnesota. At least, that was the prevailing narrative from that era of Vikings football. The public perception, and perhaps the perception among those who follow the team, was that Cousins dominated lesser competition and put up a high volume of yards, but couldn't win the big game.

The veteran quarterback has more experience since leaving the Vikings for Atlanta, but he still has something to prove. Cousins talked about what he wants to accomplish in his second chance with the Vikings.

Nick Brinkerhoff of USA TODAY recorded Cousins' honest thoughts on his reunion with the Vikings. Here's some of what Cousins had to say about being back in Minnesota.

"Knowing that was where I was carted off. I had thoughts of, 'Is this my last game? Is this my last game as a Viking?' To be back out there, wearing the purple-and-gold. It has meaning, but you have to go make it mean something with the way you play.

I think my whole career has felt like unfinished business. I don’t know that I would say today is any different than so many other years or moments where you feel like you’ve got something to prove, you’ve got something to accomplish and there’s more to get.

It's all about winning a Super Bowl. It always has been in every organization when the year begins – we're here to win football games and to ultimately win a Super Bowl so when you say 'How much of it is about that?' that's ultimately what you're building towards. Now, we can't win the Super Bowl today, we can't win it this Sunday, but you're on a journey to try to get there."

The Vikings signal caller is saying all the right things, but whether or not people will believe him starts with how he performs against the upcoming top competition the Vikings are set to face. Next up for the Vikings are the Green Bay Packers.

If Cousins can win that game, it might not alleviate all concern about his ability to lead a playoff run, but it would give hope that a run would be possible. We'll monitor what type of performance he brings in his first game back with the team.