The Minnesota Vikings spent Thursday reveling in quarterback Kirk Cousins' first full day back with the organization, and the welcome started before practice even began. The team's operations staff opened the session by playing Creed's "Higher" over the outdoor speakers, a nod that drew knowing smirks from the handful of players and coaches who remember the song as Cousins' anthem during the 2023 season.
"It got me hyped," right tackle Brian O'Neill said. "It felt like it raised the temperature outside a few degrees."
Rookie safety Jakobe Thomas even surrendered his No. 8 jersey free of charge, explaining afterward that "I just want him to come help us win games."
The Vikings acquired Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders hours before Tuesday's trade deadline, giving up a 2027 third-round pick. He spent Wednesday meeting with coach Kevin O'Connell and other staff members, but O'Connell did not hold a practice that day, giving players an extra recovery day following their 23-6 loss Monday night to the Buffalo Bills.
In replacing former starter Kyler Murray, the 6-2 Vikings are hoping Cousins can elevate their passing offense and reverse a two-game losing streak. Much of that hope rests on his connection with receiver Justin Jefferson, who called Thursday "a joy to hear him just take over and be a leader in the meeting room, on the field." During their last full season together in 2022, Jefferson earned the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year award with career highs of 128 catches and 1,809 yards.
Jefferson said his immediate reaction upon hearing about the trade Tuesday was to flash back to the volume of their previous connection, but he insisted Thursday that he has not let himself envision any specifics for their reunion. Through Week 9, Jefferson ranks No. 53 in the NFL in receptions with 31 and No. 34 in yards per game at 56.1, having played with Murray for five starts and Carson Wentz for two.
"At this moment, it's really no expectations," Jefferson said. "It's really just going out there and just executing our plays." Still, he noted that Cousins "just understands the game," studies it heavily, knows how defenses play, especially when covering him, and recognizes the timing and throwing windows on Jefferson's routes without forcing the ball his way.
According to Jefferson and others, Cousins wasted no time stepping into his new role. "He's being vocal," Jefferson said, "just making sure that everybody hears the plays that he's talking about and the notes that he has for certain routes, certain plays." Jefferson said that kind of command is normal for Cousins and called it "definitely kind of cool" to see him back in the room taking control.
O'Neill found himself slipping back into old routines as well. "Just the way he gets into the huddle, takes a knee. He's talking with his hands," O'Neill said. "That felt very familiar." He added that Cousins' intensity has not changed, saying, "He's on full tilt all the time," and that recognizing the cadences and the tone in his voice again was comforting.
