Justin Jefferson reset the wide receiver market earlier this offseason, and is widely viewed as the premier player at the position across the sport, but, the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback situation is going to look dramatically different in 2024 than it has at any point in his career.
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After Kirk Cousins signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason, the Vikings will likely stage a training camp position battle between Sam Darnold and first-round rookie J.J. McCarthy for the starting job.
During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Jefferson admitted that he was at least partially surprised by Cousins’ departure.
“Yeah and no,” Jefferson said on “The Rich Eisen Show” on Tuesday when asked if he was surprised when his quarterback left. “I always knew Kirk was going to do whatever he needs to do for his business-wise. I just knew that everything wasn’t the way he wanted it to be here. Especially just with having to pay me and having to pay so many other different guys, I feel 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 that we have accomplished together, but at the end of the day it’s a business. You have to do what you have to do for yourself and 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 make the best of the opportunity. Always going to try to be the quarterback’s friend and make his job a lot easier. It doesn’t matter if it’s Kirk or if it’s Sam [Darnold] or it’s J.J. [McCarthy]. I’m going to make it as easy as possible for them.”
Jefferson, who will collect upwards of $140 million over the life of his new four-year deal, caught 392 passes for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns through the first four seasons of his career.
Justin Jefferson Addresses Minnesota Vikings’ Uncertain QB Situation
This year could prove Jefferson’s most challenging yet, given the uncertainty surrounding the Vikings’ quarterback situation.
While developing McCarthy may prove to be a long-term upgrade for the Vikings, if Darnold opens the season as the starter, it is noteworthy that the former No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft has posted a completion percentage just twice, to date, in his six-year career.
Jefferson, though, is confident that Darnold will hold his own, and then some, this season.
“I feel like Sam is doing a great job with just communicating and just connecting with the players,” Jefferson said. “He understands that he’s the new guy, and we have to bond with him. We have to create that connection and chemistry with him. He’s an older guy, it’s not like he’s new to the league. He knows how to socialize, how to talk and communicate with us.
“Not only just about football, but just talking about different things. Just like how me and Kirk [Cousins] used to do. To have Sam in there, more of a veteran, older mindset, and to have J.J. [McCarthy] come in and learn from him as well is definitely something that we needed. I think it’ll be great for J.J. as well.”
