Justin Jefferson says Kirk Cousins is already taking leadership role

Yeah, it's definitely exciting to have a guy like him back in the building. Good morning. If you know Kirk, you know how he approaches the game, how he studies, how he, you know. It is mentally and physically preparing for Sunday. So it's just a joy to kind of hear him kind of just take over and be a leader in the meeting room on the field. And it's definitely a cool little situation for sure. What did you think when you heard that it was coming? When I heard it, it was kind of like a flashback, honestly. Just, you know, thinking about all of the different, you know, plays, all the different things that we have, you know, accomplished when he was here. So it's just all about, you know, just bringing a guy like him to our team that's, you know, just trying to, you know, figure things out and trying to, especially on the offensive side of the ball. So, you know, just seeing the things that he has done in Vegas and, you know, He's top five in yards, he's top in touchdowns. So all of those things and bringing that over here is definitely gonna be something that is much needed and hopefully get the ball rolling a little bit. Realistically, how much expectation do you have right out of that? At this moment, there's really no expectation. It's really just going out there and just executing our plays. It's not really getting too juiced up about him being here or anybody being back there. It's just all about understanding the plays that are being called, understanding the jobs that we have, and executing at the fullest ability. And just the plays that are there and the plays that could be made, we just need to continue to just... Make those type of plays, and I'm pretty sure the result will be a lot better. Justin, what is it about the way that Kirk plays that... It seemed to click so well with the two of you. Um, I think he just understands the game. I mean, he's a guy that that studies the game a lot. He understands, you know, how the defense defenses play, especially covering me. And he understands, just like he said the other day, the plays that we have called that are kind of my plays. And he understands that, you know, the timing and the windows to throw those type of plays. But he also doesn't force Those type of plays to me, and he just lets the game come to me. Did you ever think of him throwing you a game with him? Not really, for sure, definitely not really. But it's the NFL, and it's a business. You never really know what happens in the situation that we could be in. So it's definitely a surreal moment for him to be here and to hear his leadership and hear his control over the offense. But it's much needed at this point in time, you know, to kind of switch things up. And, you know, hopefully he brings that juice, that energy, and that leadership that we need and to, you know, take the completions and take what they give him. Just move down the field with the ball and put points on the board. That's the main objective. What do you think about the offense? Very high. When you have a defense like we have, all we need to do is just put up a couple of touchdowns a game and let them do what they do. They're going to create some havoc. They're going to create those turnovers and give us the ball in different situations. We just got to do a better job. To answering with those situations that they're giving us, you know, as they're making those turnovers for us, we need to capitalize and get points on the board after those. So some of this. Where were you? I was at home, I definitely was at home and just hearing the talks and KO did a good job as to kind of keeping me informed of what's going on. And just keeping me in the loop of everything and I definitely appreciate him for that. And just making sure that, you know, I'm just not getting blinded by, you know, the news or whatever. He's just, you know, keeping me in the loop and You know, just making sure that, you know, my inputs or, you know, my opinions on different stuff, it gets heard. So, I appreciate that for him. Last couple. It's not uncommon for someone to play a former team, but I'm curious as to your thoughts of the way Aaron was received. What he goes back to him today. Did it kind of stand out to you, like, the way the crowd kind of welcomed Aaron Jones back? I mean, the guy that Aaron Jones is, is definitely not a surprise. You know, he's a great human being, not only just a football player, but a great guy. He's always, you know, around here laughing, smiling, and always in a great mood. He's never coming in this building with a bad mood, a frown on his face. And just, you know, you can tell that no matter what's going on outside this building, he's not bringing it inside the building. You know, he's fully locked into the guy. I mean, just the teammate that he is is definitely no surprise that any team would be lucky to have him. Justin, I know you didn't play in the game. What do you remember about that day? Yeah, definitely a tough situation. And, you know, during that time, he was, you know, eating the league up at that point in time. So it's, it's definitely, you know, kind of crazy that, you know, the first game he comes back is at Lambeau and he get a chance to kind of, you know, redeem that situation. But all in all, it's just all about going out there and just executing the plays that are being called. Kirk just being Kirk and just dialing it up and taking what they give him. And just letting the ball roll out the way it rolls out. Not really forcing anything, not really trying to be the hero of the game. But I already know how Kirk is going to take the mindset and the situation of this game. He's just going to dunk and play and make sure that we continue to move the ball downfield. You mentioned him taking control of the meeting. What does that look like, what was he doing to make you feel that way? Just being vocal, just making sure that everybody hears the plays that he's talking about and the notes that he had for certain routes, certain plays. And he's just making sure that everybody's on the same page. So it's definitely cool to hear that type of leadership and command. You know, Kirk, and if you know Kirk, you know, that's pretty normal from him. So it's definitely, you know, kind of cool to, you know, him being back in that room and him taking that control. All right, guys, thank you. Thank you all. I appreciate it. How y'all doing? Doing good. Thank you. What's been your first impression of Kirk now that he's arrived? I've been a fan of Kirk from afar, playing against him for many years, and now getting a chance to play with him is exciting. I'm blessed to have him here, learn from him, and grow with him. Just how he was out there is fun. He pulled us to the side, and, hey, we're running through these plays. When the defense is up, we're in the back running through plays and just staying on top of it. I like the leadership that he brings as well. Super excited, you know, going back to Lambeau where it started for me. So it's always special going back to where something originated or started for me. But got to get a leap in, got to get a leap in. Just how competitive he is. He may take a hit, he's getting back up. How he sees the field, he can make any throw. So, you know, I've... We had our time when I was in Lambeau, and they came up there and beat us. So we know what Kurt is capable of, and he has a lot of ball left in him. You were on the other side. Sorry. Sorry, sorry. You were on the other side the last time. Yes, sir. In that game, do you remember anything about that game? Um, you know, you never want to see that that happened to any player, especially Achilles or anything that have put somebody out for the season. This is football. We know what's at stake when we go out there, but you never want to see that happen to a player. You always, for me, at least when I, when I say a prayer, when I take the field, I pray that anybody who takes the field, they leave the same way that they walk onto the field. So So, um... It sucks in this sport, but I guess on the Green Bay sideline, it was a sigh of relief. They didn't have to play against him anymore. Thank you. Thank you. He was dialing it up. Thank you. Thank you. He was dialing it up. I think from college you kind of... Learn to roll with the punches, you know. And then, you know, the NFL, it's a forever evolving, like not evolving door, but evolving process. And you never know what's going to happen or what can happen. You just got to be ready when your number's called and control what you can control. What can you guys do? I know that Justin was just saying when he comes back and he's in command, he's a leader, he's a veteran quarterback. But what can you kind of do from the back of the very difficult spot right now? Definitely, just making sure the other 10 around him are good. We're in and out of the huddle. We're playing with urgency, doing all the right things when a play's called, running the right things, just so we're all, not so we're, but it makes his job easier. First week back, it's a lot to take in. So just make sure we make his job easier all 11 or we're in and out of the huddle. That way, we get the play calls in or if there's some cadence in there or whatever it may be, we have enough time and to let him do what he does. I have a question about, did it feel like someone knew what you were doing? He's been in the feedback for a day and a half. Did it feel like he knew what he was doing? Oh, definitely. It definitely didn't feel like this was his first day, which is kind of super refreshing. You know, you never know. He's been in Atlanta, been in Vegas, so picking up those offenses and then coming back here, you don't know what carries over, but didn't miss a beat. Uh... Yes and no. So, my... I might be a little like, hey, I might have to check every play, like look back at the coach and be like, is this right? Is this right? But he was able to go out there smoothly. Thank you. Thank you. I mean, excited. I mean, I think any time, you know, you get in the position, you know, not even thinking about talking about Kirk, but just the fact that the organization believes in this team and the stuff that we've been doing the first eight weeks, you know, it felt like they had to add, you know, give us a chance to compete moving on for the rest of the season. I think that's always a plus. You know, anybody in this building who put faith in and good faith and good positive energy into this team, I think leads to. More victories, more positivity, so it's nice to have Kirk back. I think the team obviously got better, you bring in a guy like that, especially the way he's been playing this year. We're only gonna go up from here, but definitely excited for the offense. At the end of the day, we still gotta handle our stuff on the defensive end. And I think we've been doing really well on that end, but gotta do a little bit more, especially as we move into this next stretch of the season. Thank Rhythm and timing, man. The whole name of the game, first thing we talk about in OTAs when we get up here is affecting the decision-makers, which is the offensive coordinator you and the quarterback, and disrupting the timing, whether that's reroutes, disguises, blitzing, dropping eight, very whatever you want to do. But you've got to affect those guys because if you don't, $50 million a year, they're going to show it. much. So I think understanding that I think is the biggest part. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. How important is that to get your communication? Yeah. It's actually nice, though, because you guys will obviously watch the game with the snap couch. We've been rolling. Through guys, you know, in that in that room all year, you know, we have a series where that Cash would take his helmet off and give it to EW Heelor IP and they'll have the green dot. So, you know, we've had that, we had Goldie in getting rep. So, you know, I think, you know, that whole linebacker room being able to just move throughout the season and rotate has helped us a lot, you know, being in terms of the communication and everybody having to do their part. And I think, you know, as long as We just don't leave it to the linebackers and everybody else is communicating. We'll be just fine, it's all 11 for a reason. Cash was obviously a big part of that, but he was still one guy out of 11. So as long as IP comes in and talks and everybody else around keeps doing what they've been doing, we'll be fine. That's what they were saying, is that even after he might have said something, you all were trying to communicate. Yeah, yeah, you know, and part of that is, you know, playing in a stadium like U.S. Bank all the time, we're so used to communicating loud and, you know, having to be on it. And then, you know, you get to away games, you can hear yourself even more. So communication, especially in this defense, with the amount of stuff that we do, is always at the top of the list. And when you've got a guy down like Cash, you know, you even hype that up even more. Let's see, doing all this playing pretty well in week one, but what have you seen? Pretty well. He's playing amazing. That's amazing. He's just coming into his own, man. I think, you know, with 9-0 playing the way they're playing and obviously Matt LaFleur being Matt LaFleur, he's able to just trust in his ability, trust in the things he's seen, trust in the reps and the practice, you know, reps that he's had over the however many years he's been in the league. And it's starting to show. And I think he's playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the league, whether that's on schedule, off schedule, you know, the ability to just put the ball where he wants. It's a very high level and anytime you get to go against a guy like this, you're excited, especially as a defender, man. We've been playing these guys back to back to back. So it's always good to play a guy who keeps you on your toes. And yeah, shout out to him though, we're definitely gonna have to find a way to disrupt his rhythm and his timing because he's been playing out of his will. How many guys can hit the back foot? No, I don't think there's many. I think he's the king of that in this league right now. A-Rod obviously was the one. But now that Jordan Love has stepped to the table, I think he's probably one of the only ones in the league who can do it so consistently. I think he's honestly one of the harder guys to read when it comes to just looking at a quarterback. You know, you need back. Back foot, he can throw it 60 yards. Back foot, he can throw it out route to Christian Watson. So I think that's definitely a skill he's been leaning into. Um, and he's really good at it. Man, uh, the Lambeau high, man. Uh, I think the first thing I remember when I think about that day was I was walking back through that, through that tunnel. And that's when I first got the news. And like, you know, I was walking to the tunnel and I was like, and I was happy. I think I just talked to Bo or something. And I just seen the look on his face. I'm like, what's wrong? Like, what's wrong with you? Like, and he was like, he like gave me that look and like, it's not good. And I was like. What happened, and from that, obviously, we go into the locker room, it didn't feel like we won. It just felt like the season was over. It kind of gave that feel. And that's the one thing I remember from that moment. But seeing him now and seeing his smile on his face, man, you just remember a guy who's always positive, always brought light to this building, and I know he's going to do it again. Yeah, I mean. I think, especially as a young guy in this league, as a young defender in this league, all you want to do is show up on special teams, you know, and don't show up negatively anywhere else, and he's doing just that. You know, he plays in a kicking game, which we love, and he's been growing and developing behind, you know, guys who are playing all pro level. So I think he's in a great spot. I think as we move towards the end of the season and we need every guy on this team and on this roster to play. He's definitely going to step into a role where he's going to be needed more. He's going to be able to show his skill set more. But I think he's been doing a great job in terms of just learning, taking it day by day, being a great rookie, and just doing what he has to. Is there a point in your career, because this is Perkving, honestly, it's very unique just showing up here, where you kind of got used to this, like how it goes with the season and the rollercoaster and the different things? Yeah, I mean, it happened to me fast, man. I came in the league in COVID, man, COVID. Then I got cut, you know, so I got, like, everything at once, you know. League felt weird. You know, we started, I think, we started the season off with, like, 12 DBs, every DB, but Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris were completely different. Like, I'm not talking about just, like, playing, like, every DB in the room. Besides me and those two guys, we're completely different. Either IR cut or just gone, you know. So I've been in the league and I've been on a team where that's been the case. And I think, you know, very early, you know, if you don't get used to this is what it's going to be like, you know, you won't make it. And, you know, that's just National Football League, man. I'm just blessed to be here. They keep letting me in at the door. Every time my code works. I smile, cuz it's another day I get to be in here, so I'm just blessed. Appreciate you guys, thank you.