New Justin Jefferson Report Conflicts with His Previous Statements
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is a fan of Kirk Cousins, rest assured, And this week, the rumor mill has suggested Cousins’ future with the Vikings will impact Jefferson’s upcoming mammoth extension.
New Justin Jefferson Report Conflicts with His Previous Statements
The problem? Jefferson’s statement from January and one at the Super Bowl don’t necessarily jibe with a recently reported assertion.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said last weekend, “This is also complicated because Justin Jefferson is also in line for a monster contract extension. He thinks highly of Cousins and is gonna want answers at the quarterback position before he signs on for the long haul.”
While it makes sense that Jefferson adores his QB1 in Cousins, the superstar has never drawn a line in the sand to say Cousins’ return is a personal requirement.
Jefferson has also weighed in on the topic — a few times. “It’s not really in my control. I’m confident they’re going to make the right decision up there (front office). If it’s Kirk, perfect. If it’s whoever they choose, it’s not my decision,” he told reporters on January 3rd, right before the Vikings’ final regular season game.
Jefferson added, “I’m always going to continue to just be myself regardless and just play my best ball whenever I’m out there on the field.”
He later mentioned at the Super Bowl’s radio row last week when asked about Cousins’ status, “I have no idea. It could be Kirk; it could not be Kirk. It doesn’t matter who is going to be throwing me that ball. I’m always going to be that same type of player.”
“It doesn’t matter who is going to the be throwing the ball” aren’t the words from a man who’s gonna bank everything about this personal extension on the quarterback. Too, Cousins is 35 years old and will turn 36 in August, so it’s not like he has his whole career ahead of him.
On the whole, when you see spin that suggests “Cousins needs to be in Minnesota for Jefferson to stay,” just know that’s some folks’ selective and erroneous interpretation. Follow Jefferson’s words instead of someone’s theory.
NFL free agency begins in four weeks, and the Vikings should have a decision on Cousins later this month or in early March. He’s expected to fetch between $35-$45 million annually via his next contract from the Vikings or elsewhere.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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