Justin Jefferson Shares Why Things are Different with Vikings QB Kirk Cousins

The Minnesota Vikings (6-2) have their quarterback back. The Vikings traded a third-round pick for 38-year-old MVP candidate Kirk Cousins.

Cousins bucks several trends, but the battle of age vs. peak performance is one of them. The top signal caller is having arguably his best statistical season and is on pace to finish as a Top 3 passer in the NFL by season's end. He has his new teammates believing in what he will bring to the team this year.

Justin Jefferson revealed his thoughts on why the offense will be better with Kirk Cousins leading the charge. Jefferson shared those thoughts to NFL media before the Packers contest.

"It's just all about understanding the plays that are being called, understanding the jobs that we have and executing our responsibilities. And just the plays that are there, and the plays that could be made, we just need to continue to just make those type of plays. And I'm pretty sure that the results would be a lot better.

He just understands the game. He's a guy that studies the game a lot. He understands how the defenses play, especially covering me. And he understands, the plays that we have called that are kind of my plays and he understands the timing and the windows to throw those type of plays, but he also doesn't force those type of plays to me and he just lets the game come to me.

He's being vocal. Just making sure that everybody hears the plays that he's talking about and the notes that he has for certain routes, certain plays. And he's just making sure that everybody's on the same page. So it's definitely cool to hear that type of leadership and command. If you know Kirk, that's pretty normal from him. So it's definitely kind of cool him being back in that room and him taking that control."

Jefferson indicates Cousins' feel for the game is stronger than Cousins' predecessors in the 2026 season. And that's not necessarily a knock on Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz, but a compliment to what Cousins brings in knowledge of how to run the Vikings offense.

Jefferson just wants to contribute. And frankly, he can only contribute if the quarterback position is working properly. It looks like that may not be a problem this week.

Cousins and Jefferson will hope to have a strong performance and secure a win over Green Bay this weekend.