Kirk Cousins addresses sideline anger in Bucs loss; Justin Jefferson his frustration
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It didn't take an eagle-eyed viewer to see there was emotion for Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins and receiver Justin Jefferson in Sunday's season opening loss. The amount of emotion and frustration caught some by surprise.
Cousins has had some intense moments on the sidelines in the past, notably in 2018 in a conversation with Adam Thielen and then in 2021 getting in a "friendly" shoving match with Mike Zimmer after a win over Detroit.
"Just passion and intensity. It's kind of the way I play the position," said Cousins on his heated display after throwing a late first half interception.
Kirk Cousins was HEATED after his red zone interception yesterday
— The Viking Age (@TheVikingAge) September 11, 2023
pic.twitter.com/6ELwjNtfH4
Star receiver Justin Jefferson was likewise frustrated on the interception dishing out a nasty blindside hit to Tampa safety Christian Izien. The 24-year old receiver was seen on the sidelines sitting on the bench, by himself, visibly irritated.
"I'm just competitive, at the end of the day," Jefferson said. "I hate losing. I always want to be on that winning stage and celebrating with my teammates."
Kirk Cousins & The Vikings. Are. Baack. pic.twitter.com/SjQNvHWeab
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) September 10, 2023
Obviously, no competitor wants to lose. It's an awful feeling that sticks with them. But was there something more to the clear frustration from Cousins and Jefferson?
Both had notable contract situations this offseason. Cousins wasn't given a multi-year deal and is set to play out the final year of his Vikings deal. Meanwhile news broke Saturday that the Vikings and Jefferson were unable to come to terms of a new mega contract extension.
Could that have an effect on how Cousins and Jefferson will react to things this season and could it impact the Vikings 2023 season?
"I think it won't affect [the 2023 season] at all because these are two guys who have acted totally professionally, throughout this entire process," said Purple Insider's Matthew Coller in the latest Purple Insider Extra.
"If you look at all of Justin Jefferson's comments whether it's coming into mini camp, whether it was at the beginning of training camp, even his most recent press conference or even the way he handled the question after the game. He has repeatedly said that he is focusing on football and everything points in that direction."
"By the way, Justin Jefferson had an amazing game [Sunday]," continued Coller. "The offense, in total, didn't put up as many points as they should have because of turnovers and Tampa Bay, in the second half, largely controlling the game. If you had him on fantasy you should be very excited about that. He was, as usual, the centerpiece of the offense, making plays."
Jefferson finished the season opening game with nine receptions, 150 yards and no touchdowns, with only two of those nine receptions coming in the second half.
"With Kirk Cousins, I thought the same thing. He was very much Kirk Cousins," Coller continued. "You know, the defensive line got after him a few times and caused some havoc. He also made some spectacular throws. I think there's just one throw in that game that he really wants back, and they probably win the game if K.J. Osborn is able to bring that ball in at the goal line."
Could contract uncertainty impact Vikings season?
So, was any of their visible week one frustration brought on by the failed contract talks?
"That seems, to me, going by the result too much and looking back at the moments of frustration," responded Coller. "I think there's been plenty of moments on every NFL field where you're going to see an upset quarterback, an upset wide receiver, if things aren't going their way ... I think it's just part of the game that you're going to be frustrated, especially, there's really no excuse for throwing an interception at the goal line like that. It's a game swinging play, everybody knew it."
How much of an impact could the failed contract talks have on a season that's already off to a bad start?
"I don't think with these two it is going to have any impact at all," Coller said. "The only thing is that it just does add this layer of tension to the season. There's expectations already, coming of a 13-win year, and then you add this other storyline. Both guys know about the contracts and everything. It just, kind of, ramps up the pressure on both of them. But they've dealt with this for a very long time. There is always expectations for a starting quarterback who's highly paid and who is of Kirk Cousins' age. He doesn't want waste a season in his mid-thirties.
"With Justin Jefferson, he knows that the whole world is looking at him each week and expecting certain production and expecting him to be a winning player. So, I don't think this should change anything about the way everybody acts. The only way it could changes is if things go really bad, you know, maybe with Kirk Cousins there is some trade conversations."
After the Vikings season opening loss, to a Tampa Bay team they were favored against, Minnesota are set for a national television Thursday night game at defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles. In 2022, the Vikings got smoked 24-7 by Philly, also in Week Two on national television.
"This team has always, especially under Kevin O'Connell but really under Kirk Cousins, found ways to bounce back and stay in the race even when they've had some bad losses," said Coller. "That would still be my expectation until that changes."