Just as the Minnesota Vikings recaptured the magic from last season, a torn Achilles would prematurely end the season of Kirk Cousins. A staple of the franchise for half a decade, Cousins' growth and trajectory into one of the better quarterbacks in the league is as unprecedented as impressive. Cousins will now shift his focus toward the betterment of the Atlanta Falcons franchise as he signed with the team as a free agent in March 2024.
During his time at Michigan State, Cousins would play for 5 seasons, with the first 4 ending without any major fanfare and mediocre to solid seasons from him. However, a spectacular 5th year, where he led the Big Ten Conference in completions and passing yards, would serve as a teaser for things to come from Cousins in the years to come. However, with an extra year under his belt and largely unimpressive numbers, he would fall to the fourth round, selected by the Washington Redskins with the 102nd pick, in a surprising move, to say the least. Earlier in the draft, Robert Griffin III was taken by them with the 2nd overall pick, a move that required the team to part ways with 4 future picks. But, Cousins' pick was seen as insurance in case RG3 went down with an injury.
For the first 3 years of his career, Cousins would serve in a limited capacity as the backup to Griffin. His 4th year is when he started the transition to starter. It was this year that the iconic, "You like that?" phrase became a staple of the NFL lexicon. What would follow was a thoroughly remarkable year, that saw Cousins set multiple franchise and league records, en route to a Most Improved Player Award.
He would continue his momentum into the next season, where he won his first Pro Bowl selection as he broke his and Washignton's precious season records, finishing with close to 5,000 yards on the year.
A second-consecutive franchise tag saw Cousins become the first quarterback in NFL history to agree to such terms. He would once again dominate with a third-straight 4,000-yard season. But, it wasn't enough for the sides to agree on a long-term deal next offseason. Instead, the Minnesota Vikings came calling and Kirk Cousins signed a 3-year, $94,000,000 contract with them. The deal was the first fully guaranteed, and highest paying, for its time, contract in history.
Despite not making the playoffs in his first season, Cousins would notch another 4,000-yard season, with 2 offensive coordinators at the command over the year. The next year, was his worst as a starter, from a statistical standpoint as he finished the year under 4,000 yards. However, the eye test was off the charts as he led the Vikings to a playoff berth and was named to his second career Pro Bowl. In the playoffs, he would showcase his improved game, with a game-winning touchdown cementing the Wild Card Round victory, the first of Cousins' career.
The next year, Cousins was back to putting up gaudy numbers, however, the Vikings would end up missing the playoffs once again. Despite the COVID-19 controversy, Cousins finished the season with 4,221 yards in 2021, earning his third Pro Bowl selection, despite Minnesota not making the playoffs. 2022, however, would turn out to be the best year of his career. With 8 game-winning drives over the year, he would tie Matthew Stafford for the most in NFL history in a single season. His play directly led to Minnesota reaching the playoffs with an NFC North Title. His spectacular numbers directly translated to a Pro Bowl selection.
Kirk Cousins Contract Breakdown
Kirk Cousins has signed a contract with his new team, the Atlanta Falcons. Cousins' new deal is for a period of 4 years and is worth a massive $180 million. This contract includes a $50 million signing bonus as well as a huge guarantee of $100 million. Cousins' massive contract will carry a cap hit of $25 million and a dead cap value of $90 million in 2024.
| Contract | Signing Bonus | Average Salary | GTD at Sign | Total GTD |
| 4 yr(s) / $180,000,000 | $50,000,000 | $45,000,000 | $90,000,000 | $100,000,000 |
| Year | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Cap Hit | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
| 2024 | $12,500,000 | $12,500,000 | $25,000,000 | $90,000,000 | $62,500,000 ($62,500,000) |
| 2025 | $27,500,000 | $12,500,000 | $40,000,000 | $65,000,000 | $27,500,000 ($90,000,000) |
| 2026 | $35,000,000 | $12,500,000 | $57,500,000 | $25,000,000 | $45,000,000 ($135,000,000) |
| 2027 | $35,000,000 | $12,500,000 | $57,500,000 | $12,500,000 | $45,000,000 ($180,000,000) |
Kirk Cousins Salary
As per Cousins' new four-year contract, he is set to receive a base salary of $12.5 million in the 2024-25 NFL season. He has already received a $50 million signing bonus at the time of signing. His total contract of $180 million over 4 years means he will be earning an average annual salary of $45 million.
How much money does Kirk Cousins make a minute?
Cousins’ earnings from the entire deal are exactly $45 million annually which earns him approximately $85.6 per minute each day. Cousins has a great contract with the Falcons that he signed with the franchise and has once again earned a massive deal.
After paying him the big bucks, the Falcons will be hoping to see a turnaround season and will be expecting a playoff berth in the upcoming 2024 season.
How much of Kirk Cousins’s Contract is guaranteed?
Cousins has received a massive guarantee of $100 million with his new contract. Out of that, he received a guarantee of $90 million at the time of signing, allowing him to bank in a considerable paycheck. The NFL is a physical and constantly moving sport, so it is hard for players, who can fall out of the lineup due to injuries or decline in play leading to rotational changes, or some offfield controversies at a moment’s notice.
As a result, the players must retain some amount of their contract, regardless of their current situation with the team. That is where the guaranteed clause comes in, which ensures that a shorter amount of the entire contract’s sum remains guaranteed to the player, regardless of the current situation.
What are the terms of Kirk Cousins’s Contract?
Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons agreed on a four-year deal worth $180 million. Included in that deal is a $50 million signing bonus with the entire sum being guaranteed to him at the time of signing. For the 2024-25 season, he will earn $12.5 million in base salary. Along with these details, the contract has the following terms associated with it:
- $90 million guaranteed at the time of signing (signing bonus + 2024 salary + 2025 salary)
- The 2026 Roster Bonus of $10 million is fully guaranteed on the 5th league day of 2025 (injury guaranteed at signing)
- The 2027 Roster Bonus of $10 million will be paid on the 5th league day of 2027
- Full No Trade Clause
Kirk Cousins Contract History
Prior to Cousins' 4-year deal with the Falcons in March 2024, the Illinois native had signed several contracts in his 12-year career thus far. Cousins first-ever contract was his rookie deal with the Washington Redskins worth $2,572,688 for a period of four years from 2012 through 2015. Cousins would then sign a two franchise tag contracts with the Redskins in 2016 and 2017 with the first one being worth $19,953,000 and the second one being worth $23,943,600.
In 2018, Cousins signed a three-year contract worth a fully guaranteed $84 million with the Minnesota Vikings. He earned a $3 million signing bonus and received an average annual salary of $28 million. He then followed up this contract with another two-year deal with the Vikings in 2020 that earned him a hefty $66 million with a guarantee of $35 million and a signing bonus of $25 million.
Cousins' last contract with the Vikings would be a one-year deal in 2023 for $35 million.
Kirk Cousins Contract FAQ's
Q. How long is Kirk Cousins with the Vikings?
A. Kirk Cousins played six full seasons with the Minnesota Vikings from the 2018 season through the 2023 season. In 2024 he signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
A. Kirk Cousins played six full seasons with the Minnesota Vikings from the 2018 season through the 2023 season. In 2024 he signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
Q. Is Kirk Cousins a free agent?
A. Kirk Cousins signed a 4-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent in 2024.
A. Kirk Cousins signed a 4-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent in 2024.
Q. Which team drafted Kirk Cousins?
A. Kirk Cousins was drafted by the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) in the 2012 NFL Draft.
A. Kirk Cousins was drafted by the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Q. Is Kirk Cousins a vegetarian?
A. No Kirk Cousins isn't a vegetarian. However, he did go through a remarkable change in his diet that cut out eggs, dairy, and wheat-based foods. Instead, he shifted to a diet primarily consisting of poultry, lean beef, fish, fruits, and vegetables
A. No Kirk Cousins isn't a vegetarian. However, he did go through a remarkable change in his diet that cut out eggs, dairy, and wheat-based foods. Instead, he shifted to a diet primarily consisting of poultry, lean beef, fish, fruits, and vegetables
Q. Does Kirk Cousins have a wife?
A. Kirk Cousins has been married to his wife, Julie Hampton since 2014. He met her the same year he made it to the NFL, 2012, through a mutual family friend. 18 months later, the couple were engaged.
A. Kirk Cousins has been married to his wife, Julie Hampton since 2014. He met her the same year he made it to the NFL, 2012, through a mutual family friend. 18 months later, the couple were engaged.
