Justin Jefferson sends clear message about Kirk Cousins

Dec 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings fell short against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, dropping their record to 7-8 on the season and leaving them on the fringes in the NFC playoff race. For star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Sunday’s performance illustrated the importance of one player that has not been available.

Jefferson said the Vikings’ inconsistency is proof of how important quarterback Kirk Cousins is to the team. The star receiver praised his quarterback’s leadership and toughness, and made clear that he thinks games like Sunday’s would have perhaps been wins had Cousins been able to stay healthy.

Justin Jefferson: "I really think it goes to show the rest of the world the type of player Kirk is. At the end of the day, this is a tough league. … It's tough not having 8 out there, the captain that he is, the leader that he is. He's a great player."

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) December 24, 2023

“I really think it goes to show the rest of the world the type of player Kirk is,” Jefferson said. “At the end of the day, this is a tough league. … It’s tough not having 8 out there, the captain that he is, the leader that he is. He’s a great player.”

The Vikings are 3-4 since Cousins suffered a season-ending injury late in their Week 8 win. Josh Dobbs gave them an initial lift, but he came back to earth in brutal fashion, culminating in a 3-0 win pver the Las Vegas Raiders two weeks ago. Nick Mullens threw for 411 yards on Sunday against Detroit, but also threw four interceptions.

Cousins is a free agent at the end of the season, but he has voiced a desire to return to Minnesota. A big endorsement from his star wide receiver can’t hurt, not to mention how the team has struggled for consistency since he went down.