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By Matt Audilet
Contributing Sports Writer
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson are close personal friends and former LSU teammates.
Through the first few years of their respective NFL careers, the two superstar pass catchers jockeyed for position as the best wide receiver in the NFL. But over the last couple seasons, Jefferson's numbers have taken a serious hit due to lackluster quarterback play.
Through 17 games in 2025, Jefferson recorded a career-low 1,048 receiving yards and a career-low two touchdowns. This year, he currently ranks No. 38 in NFL receiving yards with 393.
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However, brighter days could be on the horizon for Jefferson.
The Vikings acquired veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in a blockbuster trade with the Las Vegas Raiders before Tuesday's deadline. Cousins and Jefferson developed an elite connection over their time as teammates in Minnesota from 2020-23.
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During the most recent episode of his podcast, Chase expressed his excitement for Jefferson.
"I'm just happy for my brother, finally getting the quarterback right now and him going back to work. I'm just happy. He get those numbers back up, get those [touchdowns] back up," Chase said.
"At the end of the day, bro, it's really out of our control," he added. "A lot of times it's out of our control. We need a quarterback to give us the ball to get yards.
"You still got to worry about the quarterback making the right read. So just trusting your quarterback and the process, that's really what it's about."
Chase and the Bengals will face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a highly-anticipated AFC North matchup this weekend. Jefferson, Cousins and the Vikings will take on the Green Bay Packers.
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