The highly sought-after free agent, Kirk Cousins, has secured a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, as confirmed by his agent Mike McCartney. The contract, valued at $180 million, includes a substantial $50 million signing bonus.
While the official completion of Cousins’ deal with the Falcons awaits the commencement of the new league year on Wednesday, both parties successfully outlined the contract terms during the legal tampering period’s first day.
At the age of 35, Cousins concludes his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings, who had reportedly aimed to retain the seasoned quarterback before he entered free agency.
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acknowledged the failed contract negotiations with Cousins in a statement, saying, “After significant and positive dialogue with Kirk and his representatives, we were unable to reach an 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 Minneapolis-St. Paul community over the past six seasons. We wish him, his wife, Julie, and their children all the best.”
The Minnesota Vikings have officially moved on from veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, as announced by General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Cousins, who joined the Vikings in 2018, signed the NFL’s first-ever fully guaranteed deal and spent six seasons in Minnesota, accumulating a 50-37-1 regular-season record.
Despite his productive tenure, playoff success remained elusive, with the team holding a 1-2 postseason record during Cousins’ time.
Now, Cousins embarks on a new chapter with the Atlanta Falcons, aiming to contribute to their playoff aspirations. The Falcons, eager to return to the postseason after a hiatus since the 2017 divisional round, anticipate Cousins to play a key role in their offensive strategy.
The seasoned quarterback is also on the comeback trail from a torn Achilles suffered in Week 8 of the previous season. As Cousins regains full strength and integrates into the Falcons’ lineup, he will benefit from a wealth of offensive weapons, including former first-round picks Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson.
Cousins is seen as the missing piece that could revitalize the Falcons’ offense, which has faced challenges despite acquiring highly talented players in recent seasons. Meanwhile, the Vikings will turn their attention to finding a new quarterback, potentially through the NFL Draft, where they currently hold the No. 11 overall pick.