Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson and QB Kirk Cousins Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins responds to possible Justin Jefferson snub

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/14/23

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins isn't bothered by comments from teammate and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, largely because Cousins apparently didn't know about the story in the first place.

Per John Breech of CBS Sports, Jefferson recently ranked Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets starter Aaron Rodgers, Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills as his top five NFL quarterbacks. Breech then pointed out in a different piece that Cousins was asked during an appearance on Minnesota sports radio station KFAN-FM about being left off Jefferson's list.

"I didn't even see it," Cousins explained. "This is the first time hearing about it."

It's possible, of course, that Jefferson either was having fun with Cousins or simply gave his QB1 a different type of shoutout during the video in question, as the 24-year-old seemed to reference a nickname used for Cousins last season:

Top 5 Quarterbacks da NFL para o Justin Jefferson + cara mais difícil de enfrentar. pic.twitter.com/nc7FhYy0t8
— Danilo Lacalle (@danlacalle) July 1, 2023

"As a competitor, you'd always want that," Cousins added about being mentioned among the best players at the sport's most important position. "People have to be honest and share what they think and I'm not going to tell somebody what they need to think. Hopefully, in 2024, I'll be on his list. We'll see what we can do this year."

Fair or not, any perceived drama involving Cousins and Jefferson will generate headlines for reasons that go beyond the fact it's the quietest time of the NFL year.

Cousins received plenty of criticism regarding an awful decision that prevented the Vikings from making a comeback late in their playoff loss to the New York Giants this past January and the veteran, who turns 35 years old next month, is about to enter the final season of his contract. He has already been linked in rumors with the San Francisco 49ers. Jefferson, meanwhile, isn't going anywhere and will likely sign a massive deal with the Vikings sooner rather than later.

If nothing else, Jefferson may want to remember that honesty isn't always the best policy.

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