Justin Jefferson is already establishing himself as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. His rookie season in 2020 was nothing short of exceptional. Posting 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns in his first season. That doesn’t happen too often in this league. One can imagine he fully intends to keep that going. Of course like any receiver he’ll be at the mercy of his quarterback.
For now, Jefferson seems content with Kirk Cousins on the trigger. The two formed a strong connection from the beginning. There is just no telling how long that relationship is going to last. Cousins turns 33-years old in August. Though he remains effective, it feels like the two-time Pro Bowler has likely peaked and isn’t going to maintain his current pace for much longer. To say nothing of the fact Minnesota hasn’t gotten far even with him having so much regular season success statistically.
That would explain why the Vikings drafted a quarterback.
They selected Kellen Mond out of Texas A&M in the 3rd round of the draft. A clear indication the team is starting to consider life after Cousins. What makes it even more interesting is he wasn’t the quarterback they originally had in mind. Reports emerged after the draft concluded that Minnesota had eyes for Justin Fields in the 1st round and fully intended to draft him had he fallen to 14th overall. However, GM Rick Spielman wasn’t willing to move up a few spots to make sure. So it was a disappointing moment when Chicago jumped in front of them to take him instead.
It appears the front office may not have been the only ones wishing they’d been more aggressive. Jefferson appeared on The Herd with Colin Cowherd to discuss the start to his career and the state of the Vikings. When asked whether he was surprised the team had eyes for Fields, his answer was quite telling.
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Justin Jefferson clearly respects what the Bears just got
Calling Fields a dominant football player is the highest of praise. Especially from a guy who probably had a hard time admitting it given who he plays for. Remember he still has close ties to the college game. He almost went head-to-head with Fields in the national championship in 2019 before Ohio State fell to Clemson in the playoffs. So he had plenty of time to get acquainted with the kind of talent the new Bears quarterback is.
This should offer even more encouragement to fans that their team may have finally gotten it right. Justin Jefferson probably isn’t overly thrilled about the idea of playing Fields twice a year. Especially with the prospect of Aaron Rodgers leaving Green Bay. This could be exchanging one tormentor for another. It’s not like the Vikings have had it easy playing the Bears the past few years and that’s been with Mitch Trubisky at quarterback.
It has to be terrifying to think they fixed their weakest link.
Time will tell. Fields is already starting to put in the work. Fan anticipation is already reaching a fever pitch. So much that they can’t wait for rookie minicamps to start. Their first glimpse of him in a Bears helmet. If Jefferson is right, then the outlook of this franchise and this division is about to change in a big way.