The Minnesota Vikings have handled quite a few setbacks on the quarterback place this season. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon tear throughout an October recreation in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
Cousins has confronted his share of criticism all through his prolonged NFL profession. Earlier than the damage, Cousins was having one in every of his greatest seasons as a professional. The 35-year-old signal-caller is scheduled to enter the free agent market within the offseason. Many consider the Vikings will think about shifting on from Cousins and attempt to discover a future franchise quarterback.
Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson expressed his help for the oft-maligned quarterback.
“I really feel like I’m at all times voicing my opinion on Kirk,” Jefferson stated. “As a lot as individuals downgrade him and never need to give him his credit score, I’m at all times the individual that at all times offers him his credit score.”
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Jefferson is broadly thought of the perfect total huge receiver in the NFL and can subsequent season enter the fifth 12 months of his rookie contract. He’ll doubtless land a profitable extension this offseason, nevertheless it seems he strongly prefers to catch passes from Cousins in 2024.
“I’m at all times blessed and simply accepting of the individual that he was for me, the participant that he was for me and this staff simply by being that chief and being that captain, controlling the sport, controlling the place the ball goes and making nice throws,” Jefferson stated.
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“I believe the remainder of the world positively realizes that at this very second.”
Cousins threw for two,331 yards, 18 touchdowns and 5 interceptions by means of eight video games this season. Though he has been sidelined for a number of weeks, his 291.4 passing yards per recreation nonetheless leads the league.
Cousins attended his first recreation for the reason that damage Sunday when Minnesota misplaced 30-24 to the Lions. He supplied Jefferson with slightly additional hype earlier than the All-Professional receiver was introduced to the house crowd.
“Individuals don’t see what goes on within the constructing,” Jefferson stated. “They don’t see the relationships that go on, don’t see the connection that goes on. Me and Kirk have an important connection.”
Requested if he’ll make his emotions recognized to the group about whether or not Cousins ought to return, Jefferson stated he doesn’t really feel it’s crucial.
“I really feel like I actually don’t must voice my opinion that a lot,” Jefferson stated. “You possibly can simply actually take a look at the stats and take a look at the play, particularly earlier than he went down this 12 months. However I positively will at all times give that additional phrase or two for Kirko.”
Rookie Jaren Corridor, journeyman Joshua Dobbs and Nick Mullens have all began video games since Cousins went down with an damage. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell stated the staff is “working by means of” who will begin in Week 17 in opposition to Inexperienced Bay.
Jefferson stopped in need of advocating for a selected quarterback to take over the beginning duties down the stretch, though he did reward Corridor for the way he is developed this season.
“I really feel like Jaren is unquestionably an important quarterback,” Jefferson stated when requested about Corridor. “He has positively some potential to spark this offense up if we put him on the market to play. We’ve confidence in whoever.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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