Quarterback Kirk Cousins agreed to a four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons, his agent announced on X on Monday afternoon.
Cousins joins a third team in his career, leaving the Minnesota Vikings to join Atlanta while recovering from a torn Achilles that ended his 2023 season.
Agent Mike McCartney congratulated Cousins for “agreeing to a 4-year deal” with the Falcons. ESPN reported it was a four-year, $180 million deal — $45 million per season — with $100 million guaranteed.
Excited for @KirkCousins8 agreeing to a 4 year deal with the @AtlantaFalcons
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 11, 2024
Cousins will be 36 before playing his next regular-season snap. A fourth-round pick in 2012, he was tied for the NFL lead with 18 touchdown passes when he suffered the Achilles injury eight weeks into the 2023 season.
The Vikings struggled without Cousins last season and are expected to add at least one quarterback.
Cousins is 1-3 all-time in the postseason. He has 270 touchdown passes and 110 interceptions in his career.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement on social media Monday that the team had “significant and positive dialogue with Kirk and his representatives” but the parties couldn’t 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 wrote.
“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.”
Cousins reunites with Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris, who was on the Washington staff during Cousins’ first three NFL seasons from 2012-14.
The Falcons failed to find a suitable starter since shedding Matt Ryan’s massive salary off the books and went 7-10 three consecutive seasons under since-fired coach Arthur Smith.
Ryan was 36 in 2022 when the Falcons traded him to the Indianapolis Colts.
–Field Level Media
