Justin Jefferson shares what happened after he yelled at Kirk Cousins
By Adam Patrick
A frustrating moment from Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson last season ended up getting a bit blown out of proportion.
Justin Jefferson will never forget his first season in the NFL as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. Not only was it played during the middle of a global pandemic, but he also blew his rookie expectations out of the water as he set numerous all-time receiving records.
And, of course, he introduced the NFL world to the Griddy.
But there was one moment from Jefferson’s rookie year that he’s likely grown tired of talking about. It has nothing to do with a play he made or a touchdown he scored, instead, it has to do with something a hot mic caught him saying during a moment of frustration.
Justin Jefferson reveals if he regrets hot mic moment during first year with Minnesota Vikings
Towards the end of the first half in Minnesota’s Week 15 matchup against the Chicago Bears last season, the Vikings were facing a 2nd-and-goal inside the Bears’ 10-yard line.
Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins tossed a pass into the back of the end zone that was just out of the reach of Jefferson and it ended up being incomplete. After the failed pass attempt, a television mic on the field caught the Vikings receiver yelling “F**k Kirk! Come on, throw the ball!”
This wasn’t anything out of the ordinary when it comes to NFL wide receivers. But the absence of fans inside U.S. Bank Stadium that day just amplified Jefferson’s reaction, which clearly caught some people off guard.
In a recent interview with GQ’s Tyler R. Tynes, the Minnesota receiver was asked if Cousins needed to get him the ball quicker that day.
"“Just a little bit. There were a few throws that game. But I talked to him after and we got that whole situation settled down. He wanted me to come up to him and talk to him instead of yelling for the TV to hear.”"
Jefferson also told Tynes that he’s never going to be a player who hides his emotions on the field.
"“I’m gonna say whatever I need to say on the field. If I’m frustrated, I’m going to get my point across. I’m going to show you my competitiveness and my eagerness to win is shown on the field.I don’t want to be that quiet guy that doesn’t say anything, that just sits back and just [goes along]. I want to win games. I want to go to the championship. I want to win. In order to do that, you have to be that leader, that vocal person in the locker room. That’s the guy that I’ve started to be.”"
Jefferson obviously isn’t concerned about those who think there is some sort of rift between him and Cousins. The hot mic moment from last year was just a natural reaction that is expressed by a lot of other players from around the league.
Jefferson came from an LSU team that won a National Championship in 2019. So the adjustment from being at the top of the college level to a team that experienced a bunch of struggles last season certainly wasn’t an easy experience for the young receiver.
Jefferson is very competitive and he wants to use his abilities to help his team win as much as possible. Vikings fans really couldn’t ask for more from the guys who suit up for their favorite team.