Kirk Cousins signs a four-year deal worth $180 million with the Atlanta Falcons.
Kirk Cousins’ tenure in Minneapolis spanning six years has come to an end. The seasoned quarterback has reached an agreement on a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, as reported by NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.
Cousins’ contract details include a $50 million signing bonus and $90 million guaranteed over the next two seasons, with an additional $10 million guaranteed in 2026, totaling $100 million in guarantees, according to Pelissero.
The announcement of Cousins’ move to Atlanta was made by his agent, Mike McCartney.
This development comes as a surprise not only due to Cousins departing from Minnesota, where he had established a comfortable home for himself and his family with consistent performance over the past six seasons but also because of his chosen destination.
Many anticipated Cousins, aged 35, to return to Minneapolis, especially after the Vikings experienced the challenges of navigating the NFL without a franchise quarterback following Cousins’ season-ending Achilles injury. Instead of opting to continue with a known asset, the Vikings allowed Cousins to explore the open market, leading him to accept Atlanta’s offer and relocate his family to the South.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stated in a Monday statement, “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. Kirk holds a special place in Vikings history, and we appreciate his leadership and contributions to the team and the Minneapolis-St. Paul community over the past six seasons. We wish him, his wife, Julie, and their children all the best.”
Adofo-Mensah further added, “Our approach heading into free agency always included layers of contingencies regarding the quarterback position. We are moving forward with plans that allow us to continue building a roster that can compete for a championship.”
