Following the record-breaking four-year contract extension he signed, Justin Jefferson, the star of the Minnesota Vikings, accepted the added responsibility of filling in for Kirk Cousins.
With Cousins serving as his quarterback and offensive coordinator over his first four seasons, the soon-to-be 25-year-old phenomenon led the league in receiving yards with 5,899 yards.
For the first time since Cousins’ arrival, Jefferson will start a season without Cousins’ starting quarterback, and he is fully accountable for the performance of the offense.
“Things were a lot easier with Kirk being a veteran and me pretty much coming into the league with him as my quarterback,” Jefferson remarked during a news conference on June 4 after his four-year, $140 million agreement was announced. Naturally, though, things will not always work out that way. Certain things are scheduled to change.
Vikings rookie J.J. McCarthy is taken under Justin Jefferson’s wing
The Vikings experienced a taste of life without Cousins during the previous season.
Even though Cousins was having some of his greatest football of his career, his season was cut short in a road game at Lambeau Field during Week 8 when he tore his Achilles tendon.
Only three more victories were managed by the Vikings for the remainder of the season, but it was obvious that they would have to find a replacement, and that person turned out to be J.J. McCarthy.
Since McCarthy and Jefferson will share the same fate for the next four seasons, Jefferson intends to give him confidence.
A fresh force. a fresh spirit. I adore his self-assurance. McCarthy has a great attitude, Jefferson remarked. You can’t be more certain than that, of course, especially after he just won a championship. It’s my responsibility to instill that confidence in him so that it lasts the entire season. He will carry that with him. Of course, throwing the ball to me gave him even more self-assurance.
Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings coach, and Justin Jefferson partner
The Vikings can now proceed with their championship aspirations, knowing that they have a game-changing player under contract through the 2028 season.
“Our bond has meant the world to me from day one,” O’Connell remarked after Jefferson’s first Vikings minicamp session. He is quite important to that locker room. Observing him among his teammates both yesterday and today, he is a culture and people changer—basically, he embodies everything we want this organization to stand for.”
