There’s absolutely no question that Vikings rookie receiver Justin Jefferson is one of the best first-year players at his position in recent years. The LSU alum came into Week 15’s game against the Bears with the 10th most receiving yards any rookie’s ever had in pro football history (1,078), the 11th highest yards per reception total ever (16.58), and he was tied for 19th all-time with 65 catches. Not bad for a guy with three games left in the season.
Of course, to rise higher in those totals, Jefferson will have to, at times, transcend the limitations of his play-calling and of his quarterback. Last week, in a 26-14 loss to the Buccaneers, the Vikings went with a run-heavy script in the second half despite deficits of 23-6 in the third quarter and 26-14 in the fourth quarter, and Jefferson caught just four passes on eight targets for 39 yards.
So, you might understand why Jefferson gets a bit irate when quarterback Kirk Cousins blows his red-zone opportunities — especially against a Chicago defense that has fallen off the face of the earth in the second half of the season. With 44 seconds left in the first half, the ball at the Chicago six-yard line, and the Bears already up, 20-7, Cousins airmailed a ball in Jefferson’s general direction, but over his head.
Justin Jefferson not happy with Kirk Cousins after this overthrow pic.twitter.com/Gli1wKZchC
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) December 20, 2020
Jefferson’s response? “EXPLETIVE, Kirk! C’mon! Throw the ball!”
Well, it’s hard to blame him. Adam Thielen has jostled Cousins about throws before, and Stefon Diggs had a lot to say about the Vikings’ passing game before the trade to Buffalo that allowed Diggs to realize his potential, and gave the Vikings the first-round pick which allowed them to select Jefferson — now another frustrated receiver in an offense, and with a quarterback, with a clear an obvious ceiling.
Expletives are entirely understood.