Kirk Cousins agrees to four-year, $180M contract with Atlanta Falcons
Kirk Cousins’ tenure of six years in Minneapolis has come to an end. The experienced quarterback has agreed to a lucrative four-year contract worth $180 million with the Atlanta Falcons, as reported by NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.
This deal for Cousins involves a hefty $50 million signing bonus and guarantees of $90 million over the next two seasons, with an additional $10 million assured in 2026, totaling $100 million in guarantees, according to Pelissero.
The announcement of Cousins’ move to Atlanta was made by his agent, Mike McCartney. The news of his departure from Minnesota is surprising, given his consistent performance over the past six seasons, during which he established a comfortable home for himself and his family.
The unexpected aspect also stems from the fact that Cousins, at 35, was anticipated to return to Minneapolis, especially after the Vikings experienced the challenges of NFL life without a top-tier quarterback due to Cousins’ season-ending Achilles injury. However, rather than sticking with the familiar option, the Vikings allowed Cousins to explore other opportunities, leading him to accept Atlanta’s offer and relocate his family southward.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah expressed gratitude for Cousins’ contributions to the team and the community but acknowledged the inability to agree on a contract aligning with both parties’ visions. Adofo-Mensah emphasized the Vikings’ commitment to building a competitive roster capable of contending for a championship, despite the quarterback position being subject to various contingencies.
