KFAN's Paul Charchian to Cousins haters: 'You got what you wanted'
As Vikings fans come to terms with an electrifying first day of free agency, there's one prominent personality who has been quick to call out the long-term critics of Kirk Cousins after he agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
Although his reputation among Vikings fans grew as his performances peaked under Kevin O'Connell, Cousins remained a polarizing figure among the fanbase, on social media at least, generating devout disciples as well as unrepentant haters.
Cousins' departure was generally accepted by Vikings fans once they saw the four-year, $180 million deal including $100 million guaranteed, knowing that such a deal offered by the Vikings would have further hamstrung the team on its "competitive rebuild" given the increasing likelihood they draft a quarterback next month.
But the signing of Sam Darnold on a one-year $10 million deal has been met with less enthusiasm. The former No. 3 draft pick struggled with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers – albeit in awful circumstances – before operating as the backup to Brock Purdy in San Francisco last season.
Step forward Paul Charchian – the on-air KFAN personality and fantasy football guru behind Guillotine Leagues who has been a defender of Cousins during his time with the Vikings – who wasted no time in calling out those eager to see the back of Cousins in Minnesota.
Kirk Cousins
Image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
"This is your new starting QB, Vikings fans," he tweeted of Darnold's signing. "You don’t pay $10m to a backup – well, you shouldn’t, anyway. Funny how inexpensive the QB position can be when you sign a player nobody else would dare put under center.
"I’ve been told one thousand times, 'wins are a quarterback stat', so here you go: 56 career starts, 21 wins. We‘re back to the days of starting washed-up journeymen retreads. And that’s how we like it in Minnesota. Sleep easy, Vikings fans. You’ve got the quarterback you wanted. And deserved."
Earlier in the day, as news of Cousins' departure broke, Charchian expressed skepticism in the Vikings' – and particularly general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah – ability to adequately replace Cousins.
"Disappointing, but expected," he wrote. "In two years, Kwesi did nothing to get a replacement in place and will need to make, by far, the best move of his career to replenish the position."
Others are less down on the Darnold signing, with Fox Sports writer Peter Schrager saying his reputation among NFL coaches and scouts is much more positive than that of fans, given the situations (ie. general incompetence) Darnold had to deal with at the Jets and Panthers.
The Vikings hold the No. 11 position in the 2024 NFL Draft but have been strongly tipped to make a move up in the order.
But with the Falcons signing Cousins that leaves one fewer team to compete with to get one of the top four quarterbacks, expected to be Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and JJ McCarthy.
