Kirk Cousins Signs Four-Year $180 Million Deal With Falcons

Quarterback Kirk Cousins is the newest member of the Atlanta Falcons. Leaving in free agency following six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Cousins signed a four-year deal with Atlanta worth up to $180 million. The 35-year-old missed more than half of the 2023 season after an Achilles tear against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8 but hopes for a fresh start with his new team.

“After significant and positive dialogue with Kirk and his representatives, we were unable to reach agreement on a contract that fits the short and long-term visions for both Kirk and the Minnesota Vikings,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement on Monday.

Though many question his performance in the playoffs, Cousins has proved himself to be a worthy starting quarterback in the NFL. Before the Achilles injury, he was leading the league in touchdowns and second in passing yards on an offense that saw star wide receiver Justin Jefferson in and out with injuries. In his time in Minnesota, Cousins threw for 171 touchdowns and helped lead the team to one NFC North title on a 50-37-1 record in the regular season and a 1-2 record in the playoffs.

Cousins is currently 24th all-time and fifth among active quarterbacks in career passing yards with 39,471. He is also 20th all-time in touchdowns with 270 and has made the Pro Bowl four times. Though he hasn’t seen much success in the playoffs, the numbers are there for Cousins, and his contract reflects that. Of the $180 million, he is set to make over the next four years, Cousins will receive $50 million as a signing bonus along with the safety of $100 million of the contract being guaranteed.

Cousins joins Atlanta’s young offense core, highlighted by running back Bijan Robinson, tight-end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London.

The Falcons traded long-time quarterback Matt Ryan before the 2022 season but have struggled to find success, finishing 7-10 the previous two years. In that span, the team saw Marcus Marriota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke all in the starting position, but none could cement themselves in the role. Atlanta also fired head coach Arthur Smith following their sub-par past few seasons and hired Raheem Morris in his place.

As he enters the back end of his career, the move to a young Falcons team could be the change Cousins needs to find playoff success. Competing in a relatively weak NFC South division, an injury-free season from their quarterback could bode well for the team making a playoff run in January.

Cousins’ new start and four-year deal worth up to $180 million will begin when he signs the contract on Wednesday, the official mark of the start of the 2024 season.