Vikings' Kirk Cousins decries national news as 'toxic,' enjoys 'somewhat pure' local coverage

Cousins is entering a pivotal season for himself and future with the Vikings

Kirk Cousins’ likability skyrocketed in recent weeks as Netflix’s "Quarterback" series debuted featuring the Minnesota Vikings quarterback along with Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes and former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Cousins may have earned even more brownie points earlier this week as he sat down with KARE 11 and talked about how he likes watching the local news rather than the national news. His comments seemed to take journalist Jana Shortal by surprise.

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vikings kirk cousins decries national news as toxic enjoys somewhat pure local coverage

Minnesota Vikings' Kirk Cousins arrives for the premiere of Netflix's docuseries "Quarterback" at the Tudum Theatre in Los Angeles, on July 11, 2023. (Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images)

"I love local news," Cousins said. 

"It’s just – obviously, most news is kind of gone like this," he added, pointing his hand in a downward motion. "It’s just toxic. And I feel like local news is still somewhat pure."

Shortal made a good point, saying, "Local news has not been nice to you for five years."

Cousins said that was "OK."

vikings kirk cousins decries national news as toxic enjoys somewhat pure local coverage

Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings talks with Nathan Peterman of the Bears after the game at Soldier Field on Jan. 8, 2023, in Chicago. (Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

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"I don’t know. When I watch it, I just feel like at least some good quality news instead of just trying to incite people."

Shortal responded, "Bless you, Kirk Cousins."

Cousins is entering a pivotal season with the Vikings. He signed a one-year contract extension last year for 2023 and will earn $35 million guaranteed. He could become a free agent at the start of the 2024 offseason.

vikings kirk cousins decries national news as toxic enjoys somewhat pure local coverage

Quarterback Kirk Cousins makes a pass during Vikings training camp at TCO Performance Center on July 31, 2023, in Eagan, Minnesota. (Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Last season, he had one of the best years as a member of the Vikings. He had 4,547 passing yards and 29 touchdown passes as Minnesota went 13-4. The team was eliminated in the wild-card round of the playoffs by the New York Giants.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

Authored by Ryan Gaydos via FoxNews August 9th 2023