Justin Jefferson ‘not mad’ at Kirk Cousins for leaving Vikings in free agency: ‘It’s on to the next’
Justin Jefferson experienced a wild offseason. He lost his quarterback in free agency and got paid more than any receiver in NFL history.
Seeing Kirk Cousins leave Minnesota for Atlanta ushered in a new era for the Vikings. The club brought in veteran Sam Darnold and drafted J.J. McCarthy in the first round. Jefferson’s ability to perform regardless of who was under center likely played a role in the front office standing firm on its offer to Cousins before he left town.
“Yeah, and no,” Jefferson responded. “I always knew Kirk was going to do whatever he needs to do for his business-wise. I just knew that everything just wasn’t the way he wanted it to be here, especially just with having to pay me and having to pay so many different guys. I felt like he just wanted a new start, a new opportunity to start with Atlanta and a clean slate. I’m not mad at him at all for that. I’m grateful for what he has brought to me and the things we have accomplished together, but at the end of the day, it’s a business, and you got to do what you got to do for yourself and for your family. I clearly understand that.
“It’s on to the next. It doesn’t really matter what quarterback it is, in my eyes. I’m always going to try to make the best of the opportunity. I’m always going to be the quarterback’s friend and make his job a lot easier. So, it doesn’t matter if it was Kirk or if it’s Sam or if it’s J.J., I’m going to make it as easy as possible for them.”
Over four seasons, Jefferson averaged 98.85 yards per game over 54 tilts with Cousins at QB. In the other six contests the receiver played with a different quarterback, he averaged 93.5 yards per game. Jefferson is one of the few QB-proof players in the NFL, which makes his measured response to Cousins’ departure relatable.