Justin Jefferson’s quarterback situation looks a lot more familiar than it did a day ago. The Minnesota Vikings have acquired Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2027 third-round pick, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday, the day of the NFL trade deadline.

Fans quickly cast the reunion as a lifeline for Jefferson. The trade came one night after a 23-6 home loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Kirk Cousins Deal Follows a Monday Night Loss Without a Touchdown

The loss at U.S. Bank Stadium was the Vikings’ second straight after a 6-0 start, leaving them 6-2 and third in the NFC North. Carson Wentz started for the injured Kyler Murray and completed 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards with two interceptions, an 8.9 passer rating.

His 2.3 QBR was the lowest of any quarterback this season. The home crowd booed the offense repeatedly. Jefferson was targeted 11 times and finished with three catches for 58 yards.

Afterward, Jefferson was asked about the possibility of Minnesota trading for a quarterback before Tuesday’s deadline. He deferred that decision to general manager Nolan Teasley and head coach Kevin O’Connell, saying, “I’m not sure … that’s their job.”

“My job is to continue to get open, continue to be the leader of the team and come next week, and hopefully things change,” Jefferson added.

News of the Cousins trade broke Tuesday afternoon, less than a day after those remarks. Pro Football Network’s reply to the report was addressed to the people who start Jefferson every week: “Justin Jefferson fantasy managers.”

One fan took the fantasy angle further: “And just like that, Justin Jefferson is a Top 5 Fantasy WR again.”

Jefferson finished 2022 first among wide receivers with 368.7 PPR points, with Cousins at quarterback. Through Week 9 this season, he ranks 24th with 95.2 PPR points.

PFN’s NFL WR Impact Grade has him at 77.6 through Week 9, 22nd of 79 graded wide receivers. He has 31 catches for 393 yards and four touchdowns over that span.

Fans See the Kirk Cousins Reunion as a Rescue for Justin Jefferson

Other fans skipped the fantasy math and focused on what the move means for Jefferson himself. Another fan declared, “Justin Jefferson, you are saved.”

A similar note came from another fan: “There it is. Justin Jefferson is back!”

Another fan took stock of the whole day: “The biggest winner today is Justin Jefferson.”

For another fan, the appeal was a pairing Minnesota has seen before: “Kirk to Jettas is back.”

In 2022, in the first of Cousins’ two seasons under Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, Jefferson led the NFL with 128 catches and 1,809 receiving yards, both career highs, and caught eight touchdown passes. His 106.4 receiving yards per game also led the league. Cousins made the Pro Bowl that season with 4,547 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Another fan tied the move to that history: “Y’all ask why Vikings trade for Kirk again, well, Justin Jefferson’s best years came with KC.”

Cousins has started all nine of the Raiders’ games this season, and through Week 9, he ranks fifth in the NFL with 2,340 passing yards and second with 20 touchdown passes, against eight interceptions. PFN’s NFL QB Impact Grade has him at 80.5 through Week 9, 11th of 35 graded quarterbacks.

The Vikings have scored just 11 offensive touchdowns through eight games, tied with the winless Los Angeles Chargers for the fewest in the league. Monday was their third game without one. According to ESPN, Minnesota is the first team since 1925 to win at least six of its first eight games while going without a touchdown in at least three of them.