The Atlanta Falcons have allegedly acquired quarterback Kirk Cousins on the opening day of NFL free agency, luring the perennial Pro Bowl selection from the Minnesota Vikings.
Cousins had been engaged in contract talks with Vikings’ representatives throughout the weekend, with reports indicating a close competition between his former team and Atlanta. Shortly after the legal tampering period commenced on Monday in NFL free agency, Cousins reached an agreement on a lucrative deal with the Falcons that the Vikings opted not to match.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Cousins is finalizing a four-year contract worth $180 million. In the first two years of the deal, he will receive a total of $90 million, which includes a $50 million signing bonus.
With an average annual value (AAV) of $45 million per season, Cousins joins Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs as the eighth-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. His AAV falls just below that of Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns, who earns $46 million annually.
Kirk Cousins’ career statistics include a QB rating of 98.2, 39,471 passing yards, 270 passing touchdowns, a completion rate of 66.8 percent, an average of 7.6 yards per attempt, and 28 game-winning drives.
Kirk Cousins is set to find familiarity with the Atlanta Falcons due to their concerted efforts to secure him this offseason. Following a period of quarterback instability, Falcons owner Arthur Blank took decisive action by dismissing head coach Arthur Smith and appointing Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as his successor.
Morris wasted no time in expressing the team’s intent to enhance their quarterback position, making the acquisition of Cousins a top priority for Atlanta.
Falcons’ offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is expected to facilitate Kirk Cousins’ smooth transition into the team’s new offense. Prior to joining Atlanta, Robinson was part of the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff from 2019 until the end of the 2023 season.
During his tenure there, he received guidance from Sean McVay and collaborated closely with Kevin O’Connell. Given Cousins’ familiarity with O’Connell’s offensive system, which he mastered during his time in Minnesota, there are likely to be similarities between what the Vikings ran and what the Falcons’ offense will entail next season.
Meanwhile, the Vikings had reportedly identified Baker Mayfield as their primary backup option to Cousins leading into the weekend. However, with Mayfield re-signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cousins departing Minnesota, the Vikings are now perceived as the frontrunners to secure one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft this April.
