Ja’Marr Chase knows exactly what Justin Jefferson has been dealing with, and he sounds genuinely relieved that the Vikings wideout may finally get some help.
The two are more than just star receivers. Chase and Jefferson are close friends and former LSU teammates, and for years they’ve been linked in the same conversation about the NFL’s best pass catcher. But while Chase has kept producing, Jefferson’s numbers have dipped as quarterback play around him has lagged.
That’s why the news of Minnesota landing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins before Tuesday’s deadline clearly hit differently for Chase. Cousins and Jefferson already built a strong connection during their time together with the Vikings from 2020-23, and Chase believes that reunion could get Jefferson back on track.
During the latest episode of his podcast, Chase didn’t hide how he felt.
"I’m just happy for my brother, finally getting the quarterback right now and him going back to work. I’m just happy. He get those numbers back up, get those [touchdowns] back up," Chase said.
He also pointed to the reality receivers live with every week.
"At the end of the day, bro, it’s really out of our control," he added. "A lot of times it’s out of our control. We need a quarterback to give us the ball to get yards.
"You still got to worry about the quarterback making the right read. So just trusting your quarterback and the process, that’s really what it’s about."
Jefferson’s recent production tells the story. Through 17 games in 2025, he posted a career-low 1,048 receiving yards and a career-low two touchdowns. This season, he sits No. 38 in the league in receiving yards with 393.
Chase and the Bengals are set for a big AFC North test against the Steelers this weekend, while Jefferson, Cousins and the Vikings will line up against the Packers.
In Other News...
Vikings Head Into Green Bay With One Injury Concern Getting Bigger
The Vikings are heading into Green Bay with the injury report still carrying real weight, and the concern only grows when you look at who is not taking part. Blake Cashman, T.J. Hockenson, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Jauan Jennings, Kyler Murray and Kyle Van Noy were all listed as non-participants, leaving Minnesota to manage a week that already had a thin margin for error.
The tight end spot remains the clearest pressure point for the offense, especially with Josh Oliver out for the season and no late trade-deadline help arriving to ease the load. Kirk Cousins is expected to start at quarterback, but the Vikings will need the rest of the roster to hold up around him if they are going to navigate a division trip with this many moving parts. [Read more 🡒]
Kirk Cousins Is Already Reclaiming Control Of The Vikings Offense
Kirk Cousins was back in the middle of things Wednesday, taking part in his first full practice with Minnesota after arriving in a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2027 third-round pick. The scene around him made it clear how quickly he has re-entered the Vikings orbit, from the song the team played in his honor to rookie safety Jakobe Thomas giving up his No. 8 jersey to make room for the veteran quarterback.
Justin Jefferson also noticed the way Cousins has stepped back into the huddle and the meeting room, pointing to his leadership and the way he communicates on and off the field. For a Vikings offense that knows exactly what Cousins can bring, the early signs are less about a reunion and more about how fast he can settle back into the role of organizing everything around him. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Fans Just Saw The Concern With J.J. McCarthy Under Pressure
J.J. McCarthy gave the Giants enough to keep things interesting for most of the afternoon against Washington, completing 23 of 36 passes for 293 yards with a touchdown and an interception. For Minnesota fans still following his development, the bigger takeaway was less about the box score and more about how the game tightened when the Commanders started bringing more pressure after halftime.
In the final minute, McCarthy was forced into a series of hurried decisions, and the stress of the moment showed up in the worst possible way. Washingtons increased blitzing helped speed up his process and exposed how much more comfortable he looked when the pocket was cleaner, leaving a late interception to close the door and raise the same old question about how he handles pressure when the game is on the line. [Read more 🡒]