Sep 26, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.
A little bit of swagger in the form of confidence.
That’s what Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson wants from Sam Darnold — and eventually J.J. McCarthy in 2025 and beyond — after Kirk Cousins left for the Atlanta Falcons in March.
Sunday’s game for Minnesota at the New York Giants will be the franchise’s first Week 1 game without Cousins on the roster in seven years. So, Jefferson, via Star Tribune, explained this week what he’s seeking from a non-Cousins passer.
“It’s going to be different. But I want it to be the same for them to have the confidence in me to go and make a play, just like Kirk did in those opportunities and those situations. I low-key want them to have more confidence than what Kirk had,” Jefferson said.
The phenom playmaker signed a four-year, $140 million extension in June, connecting Jefferson to the Vikings through the end of the 2028 season when McCarthy’s rookie deal expires.
Jefferson added, “Kirk is more comfortable in the system, with him running it early on in Washington. It’s just to give them an extra boost and extra confidence; I want to go up and make a play for them whenever they give me the chance.”
Cousins will have weapons galore in Atlanta, a supporting cast featuring Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Darnell Mooney. But in Minnesota, Darnold’s weapon stable isn’t far behind, with men like Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, T.J. Hockenson, and Jalen Nailor chomping at the bit to contribute.
Some might consider Jefferson’s “more confidence than Cousins” a wee bit of shade, but Jefferson and Cousins maintained a wonderful relationship. If Jefferson had it his way, though, he’d simply ask for the confidence meter to spring off the charts for Darnold or McCarthy, topping Cousins because too much is never enough.
Jefferson also spoke with Kay Adams on The Up and Adams Show this week and explained why he re-signed with the Vikings for the long haul: “That connection is just not found anywhere. Especially the connection I have with KO (Kevin O’Connell), having a head coach that’s that player-oriented, that I have a very close connection with, it’s not something that you can find at the next team.”
“The whole organization, the facility, even our stadium, our fan base, everything is just high quality, top tier in this league,” Jefferson added.
Jefferson will get a peek at Darnold’s confidence in three days when Minnesota, a 1.5-point favorite, battles Brian Daboll’s Giants in New Jersey.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
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