Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer felt good about Minnesota's offense throughout the 2020 season, and that sentiment hasn't changed.
Zimmer and running back Dalvin Cook virtually joined Good Morning Football Friday morning to discuss a number of topics, including the Vikings 2020 campaign.
GMFB co-host Peter Schrager asked Zimmer about the "quarterback carousel" in the NFL and about the Vikings offense heading into next season.
"As far as the quarterback position, Kirk's our guy," Zimmer responded. "He had a terrific year – we were fourth in the league on offense.
"We have to get better on defense – we had a lot of injuries and young guys, but that's my job to get that fixed," he added.
View the best quarterback photos from the 2020 season from Vikings photographers including stories behind the photos.
This photo of Kirk was taken during our game against the Cowboys in which we wore our Primetime Purple jerseys. I wanted to emphasize the Purple and Gold in our jersey so I used colored pieces of paper in front of my lens to create a multicolored effect. - Andy
In the home opener, Kirk Cousins showed off mobility by rushing for 34 yards on four carries. For this photo, I slowed down my shutter speed to create the panning/motion effect. - Andy
I feel this photo accurately represented the eeriness and strange vibe of the first regular-season game without fans. The empty seats in the background help tell this story. - Andy
It wouldn't be a game in Seattle without a little rain. This photo of Kirk Cousins was taken minutes before kickoff when the rain was coming down stronger. I didn't enjoy the hassle of using rain gear but I did like how the photos turned out. - Andy
Since access was more limited this season, I wasn't able to be as close to the team as usual. One way I adapted was by using longer lenses and cropping in my photos. This photo was taken with a 180-mm Macro lens and cropped so Kirk's head filled the frame. I exposed the photo for the highlights, which helped create deeper shadows framing his face. It was converted to black and white to enhance the contrast of the image. - Andy
This photo was taken during the team introductions at the stadium. I utilized an off camera flash to light the players. The flash also highlighted the artificial snow that our production team uses for intros. I converted the photo to black and white because I liked how the shadows and specks of light created an interstellar feel. - Andy
This photo was taken after our victory in Green Bay against the Packers. Players from both teams meet in the center of the field after games to pray. Usually the field is very busy with other media members and fans in the background. Due to COVID-19, however, the field and stands were empty, creating a more unique image than usual. Despite Lambeau Field being home to our rivals I really love the history and atmosphere of the stadium. - Andy
This image was taken before team introductions in the location where the players are staged and await being announced. I like this image because Kirk is standing in a hero pose with his two leading receivers, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, standing behind him. I really appreciate the hard work of our game-day production team to make normal moments transform into visually stunning scenes. - Andy
This photo was taken moments before the team took the field at Detroit in Week 17. The tunnel gets crowded quickly as the players await the signal to run out. I scanned the helmets until I locked in on Kirk, calm and focused on the task ahead. After a long year, he was finally back home in Michigan. In that moment I thought back to his pregame quote "not the last game of the year, but the first game of 2021" I think it summed up the moment perfectly. - Kam
This photo was taken right after our MNF victory in Chicago. With the new COVID protocols, the media has limited field access and conducts the postgame interviews from the stands. As I left the field, I snapped a few shots of Kirk as he waited for the cameras to roll. It seemed fitting that he had a big smile on his face after winning "The Big Game" (Monday Night Football vs. a divisional rival). It doesn't get much better than that. - Kam
It's clear that Cook shares the same motivation to turn the page and improve in 2021.
Former NFL fullback Michael Robinson asked Cook about his hurry to get back in the gym and back to training before this year's Super Bowl is even in the rear-view mirror.
"Because we're not playing. We're not in the game," Cook told Robinson matter-of-factly. "There's still a lot out there to be proved, and we've got a good team coming back. I just want to be one of those guys that separates myself and helps this team get to where we need to be next year."
Cook's response prompted a signature grin from Zimmer, who's spoken highly time and time again of the two-time Pro Bowler and team captain.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancelation of a physical Pro Bowl this year, the NFL got creative throughout the week leading up to the all-star game. A number of virtual events were held in place of in-person interactions, including the NFL Pro Bowl: Madden 21 Edition in which Cook "scored" two touchdowns to help the NFC squad to an easy victory.
"That angle route needs to be put into the Vikings playbook," quipped GMFB co-host Kay Adams following a highlight from the Madden matchup. "That was incredible. I love it."
Cook answered with a laugh: "It's there."
Asked about watching himself get (virtually) in the end zone twice during the unique event, Cook said it was fun to watch NFL Legends and celebrities alike have a good time working the controls.
"Seeing Marshawn [Lynch] down there, I see D-Henry (Derrick Henry) on there, those guys just having fun with me in the game, that's always a blessing," Cook said. "Just to see me in [Madden] is always a blessing. You know, it's fun."
