Perhaps nobody needed the Raiders to move off Kirk Cousins more than Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson was asked about Minnesota trading for Cousins and said it was “much needed.”
“He understands how the defenses play, especially covering me. And he understands the plays that we have called that are kind of ‘my plays.’ He understands the timing and the windows of those type of plays,” Jefferson said. “He also doesn’t force those type of plays to me, and he just lets the game come to him.”
Jefferson admitted that when Cousins left the Vikings after the 2023 season and signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons, he didn’t think he’d play alongside him again.
“It’s definitely a surreal moment for him to be here. To hear his leadership and to hear his control over the offense,” Jefferson said. “It’s much needed at this point in time to squish things up. Hopefully he brings that juice, that energy and that leadership that we need.”
Jefferson said the Vikings’ main objective is to continue to push and keep scoring points against opposing teams.
Since Cousins departed from Minnesota, the Vikings’ offensive production has steadily declined and hit an all-time low after Monday’s game against the Bills.
Quarterback Carson Wentz, who was intercepted twice, completed 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards. He finished the game with a quarterback rating of 2.3.
The Vikings have trotted out three different quarterbacks under center this season, combining for 1,286 passing yards (the NFL’s second-worst passing offense).
After spending the first six years of his career being considered one of the greatest receivers of this generation, Jefferson has been subjected to mediocrity because of how bad the quarterback position has been. He has 31 receptions for 393 yards and four touchdowns this season.
In Jefferson’s first three years in the NFL, he totaled more than 1,400 yards. In 2022, he had eight touchdowns and 1,809 yards.
Cousins’ blockbuster trade to Minnesota was one of the biggest ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
This season with the Raiders, Cousins totaled 20 touchdowns and 2,340 passing yards.
