Kirk Cousins has played his final down with the Minnesota Vikings. According to his agent Mike McCartney, the 35-year-old quarterback has signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
Excited for @KirkCousins8 agreeing to a 4 year deal with the @AtlantaFalcons
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 11, 2024
Cousins and the Falcons were allowed to begin contract talks at 11 a.m. CT Monday when the NFL’s legal tampering period opened. The deal with the Falcons cannot be made official until the 2024 league year begins at 3 p.m. CT on Wednesday.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Cousins’ new deal will pay him a whopping $180 million ($45m per season) over the four years, including $90 million gully guaranteed over the next two seasons. He also received a $50 million signing bonus.
Here’s Cousins new deal with Atlanta:
4Y/$180M ($45M APY)
2024/2025 FG ($90M)
2026 Injury Guarantee that Converts ($10M)
$50M to sign— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 11, 2024
Cousins leaves for Atlanta, where he and his wife Julie have family, after spending the past six seasons with the Vikings. Cousins ranks third among quarterbacks in Minnesota franchise history with 88 games played, third in passing yards (23,265), first in yards per game (264.4), and second in passing touchdowns (171).
Cousins was embarking upon a career year in 2023 before he ruptured his Achilles on Oct. 29 at Lambeau Field. In just eight games he had already thrown for 2,331 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Minnesota went 8-7-1 in the first year with Cousins at quarterback in 2018. Then from 2019 to 2022 he guided them to 10, 7, 8 and 13 wins, respectively. But playoff success was hard to find. Minnesota reached the postseason in just two of his six seasons and they went 1-2 in playoff games, including a disappointing loss to the Giants in the first round after winning 13 games in 2022.
Cousins made $185 million in six seasons with the Vikings. His first contract in 2018 was for three years and $84 million fully guaranteed. He signed a two-year extension worth $66 million (fully guaranteed) in 2020 and in 2022 he added a one-year extension worth $35 million.
