Kyle Sloter alleges Minnesota Vikings staff told him to play worse

Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyle Sloter has alleged that team staff once instructed him to perform poorly during preseason games. Speaking on The Victory Degree podcast, Sloter claimed he was told he “needed to do less” and that he “needed to go out there and be worse in the preseason.”

Sloter suggested that such requests from NFL organizations are intended to prevent competition or controversy between backup players and highly paid starters. He noted that teams often want to avoid any threat to a starter, particularly when that player has significant guaranteed money.

While Sloter did not name a specific player, observers have speculated he may have been referring to Kirk Cousins, who held a record-breaking guaranteed contract during Sloter’s tenure with the team. Sloter stated that he rejected the instruction, maintaining his desire to compete regardless of his role.