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Mike Zimmer, Kirk Cousins Last Straw in their Icy Relationship Revealed

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer made an interesting revelation about his relationship with quarterback Kirk Cousins on Thursday

Minnesota Vikings new quarterback Kirk Cousins, right, is welcomed to the podium by head coach Mike Zimmer before addressing the media at a news conference after he was introduced after signing a three-year, $84 million contract at the NFL football team's new headquarters Thursday, March 15, 2018, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Mike Zimmer and Kirk Cousins were definitely not best friends.

In fact reports recently surfaced that the former Vikings coach was not a fan of the Vikings QB. During an appearance on CBS Sports Radio, the former Vikings linebacker claimed Zimmer never liked Cousins enough to give him a real opportunity to lead the team.

“I think he’s going to finally thrive, really thrive, in a system and a coach that actually respects him,” said Leber. “I mean, it’s not like I’m breaking news here that Mike Zimmer did not like Kirk Cousins. And I think that showed in the way that Kirk behaved and the way that he carried himself. The team was never given to him, or he was never allowed to earn the trust of the team, because the head coach I think just didn’t like him.”

During an appearance on The Colin Cowherd Podcast, former Vikings linebacker Ben Leber went a bit deeper when discussing the former duo’s unraveling relationship.

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According to Leber, things really took a turn when Cousins refused to take the COVID vaccination.

“It didn’t seem like it was ever the way I thought a head coach and a quarterback should interact,” said Leber. “And it wasn’t new news. We’ve been talking about that locally now for really probably the last two seasons.

“I think it really came to a head during training camp when Kirk and others—and that’s the thing, there were others on the team that decided not to get vaccinated. But it was like Kirk was being singled out. You could see the disdain that Zimmer had towards the situation.”

Ultimately the fallout between the two ended with Zimmer being fired and the Vikings bringing in an offensive-minded coach.

Never pick a fight with a guy who makes more money than you.


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