Justin Jefferson said Wednesday that he would “give that extra word” to the Minnesota front office for quarterback Kirk Cousins who is out of contract at the end of the season.
Cousins agreed to a two-year extension in March of 2022 that could see the veteran QB depart this spring after six years in Minnesota.
“Yeah I feel like I really don’t have to voice my opinion that much,” Jefferson said when asked if he would encourage the Vikings to bring Cousins back. “You can just look at the stats and look at the play. Especially before he went down this year. But I definitely will always give that extra word or two for Kirk-O, for sure.”
Speculation about Cousins’ future in Minnesota has been mounting since the offseason when the team and the 35-year-old couldn’t come to terms on another extension. Cousins’ age and now injury history, after his season-ending Achilles tear in Week 8, have made plenty of outsiders speculate about a departure.
In Cousins’ favor is the recent play of the rotating cast of QBs the Vikings have employed in his absence. While Jaren Hall was given the initial start the week following his injury, he was forced out early due to a concussion.
Josh Dobbs was forced to step in and operate an offense he had spent the previous three days learning after being acquired at the trade deadline. For his part, Dobbs completed 20-of-30 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 66 yards and a touchdown in a 31-28 win over Atlanta. Dobbs followed that up with for 268 pass yards and a touchdown along with 44 rushing yards and a touchdown in a 27-19 win over the Saints.
Dobbs then fell off, throwing just two touchdowns to five interceptions in the next three games, culminating in his benching against the Raiders. Minnesota won 3-0 after Nick Mullens replaced Dobbs and led the only scoring drive of the game.
Mullens then proceeded to throw four touchdowns to six interceptions in his two starts leading to uncertainty about who will helm the Vikings offense in the final two weeks of the season.
After all that turmoil and the sputtering offense, it’s easy to see why those at TCO Performance Center would be longing for a return of Cousins despite his age and serious injury.
“I feel like I’m always voicing my opinion on Kirk,” said Jefferson when asked if he’ll speak up for Cousins. “As much as people downgrade him and not want to give him his credit, I’m always the person that gives him his credit. I’m always blessed and accepting of the person that he was for me and this team. Just by being that player, being that captain, controlling the game, controlling where the ball goes and making great throws. I think the rest of the world definitely realizes that at this very moment.
“I always have appreciation for Kirk. People don’t see what goes on in the building. They don’t see the relationships that go on, the connections that go on. Me and Kirk have a great connection. Even when he’s not throwing the ball it’s great to have him around. Him being himself and him being the leader that he is. It’s definitely been tough without him being there. His leadership, his knowledge of the game, his awareness it’s definitely a piece missing.”
