Retour
Through Monday night, it looked like the Minnesota Vikings were devoid of ideas, struggling to figure out how to fix an offense that had stalled badly in a 23-6 primetime loss to the Buffalo Bills. Within 24 hours, the Vikings made a move to that effect, acquiring Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders at the trade deadline.
The deal reunites him with Justin Jefferson, bringing back a partnership that previously delivered success in Minnesota.
While the move allayed fears in the fanbase that the offense was going nowhere, The Chainsmokers, the popular American electronic DJ and production duo, turned a few heads by delivering an unexpected take on Jefferson’s future in Minnesota.
Jefferson has recorded 31 receptions for 393 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 51 targets in seven games this season. He ranks No. 22 in PFN WR Impact with a 77.6 grade.
This season’s numbers are below the standards Jefferson has established throughout his career, continuing a trend from last season when he finished with 1,048 yards and two touchdowns to rank 38th in PFN’s WR Impact Grade.
While the prevalent thought was that the Cousins acquisition was the solution to Minnesota’s problems, The Chainsmokers sparked a debate by posting: “We gotta get Justin Jefferson out of Minnesota.”
Naturally, Vikings fans didn’t appreciate The Chainsmokers campaigning for their franchise star’s exit.
“Haven’t been relevant in 10 years. This certainly is not the way to get attention,” a J. J. McCarthy fan wrote.
“Stick to music,” a Minnesota-based sports fan page remarked. “This tweet is 24hrs late. They have Kirko Chains again. JJ will be fine,” another said.
“Mind your business,” a fan said, asking The Chainsmokers to stay in their lane.
Jefferson has tallied 610 receptions for 8,873 receiving yards and 46 touchdowns in his NFL career so far. Making any suggestion that Minnesota should move on from him would, of course, be a controversial take, though it wasn’t as far-fetched in the immediate aftermath of what the world witnessed on Monday Night Football.
“We gotta keep the Chainsmokers out of Minnesota,” a fan wrote.
“Trade deadlines over; also your music (expletive) sucks,” another added.
As it turns out, there were a number of calls for the Vikings to trade Justin Jefferson after the crushing primetime loss to the Bills. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith’s argument was tied to Jefferson’s declining production amid Minnesota’s ongoing quarterback struggles.
With Cousins now in place, there is hope that the quarterback situation will improve and allow Jefferson to return to an elite level of production, with the franchise entering Week 10 at 6-2, third in the NFC North.