What Happened to Kirk Cousins? Kirk Cousins Current Contract
by Kowsalya
Updated Apr 26, 2024
What Happened to Kirk Cousins?
Kirk Cousins, a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, recently had a surprising moment during the 2024 NFL Draft when the Atlanta Falcons solved their quarterback issues by signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract, with $100 million guaranteed. He had signed a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons after coming back from an Achilles injury. But at the time of the draft, something unexpected happened when the Atlanta Falcons chose another quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., as the 8th overall choice.
This took Cousins by surprise because he thought if the Falcons were going to choose another quarterback, they would do it later in the draft. So, when they told him they were picking Penix Jr. while they were still on the clock, Cousins was shocked. Penix Jr. is talented, but some people worry about his age and the injuries he had in college.
It was reported after the draft that Penix will serve as Kirk Cousins’ backup, likely the same as how Jordan Love worked as Aaron Rodgers’ backup. This means that Penix will have to learn from the experience of Cousins before he can potentially take over. Kirk Cousins' situation shows how the NFL Draft can surprise even experienced players like him.
Kirk Cousins Current Contract
The Atlanta Falcons agreed to a deal with quarterback Kirk Cousins for four years, paying him $180 million. Cousins is getting better from an Achilles injury he got during the eighth week of last season. Of that amount, $100 million is guaranteed. Then, in a surprising move at Thursday's draft, the Falcons chose another quarterback as their first pick, eighth overall. This choice surprised everyone, including Cousins.
How Long is Kirk Cousins Contract?
Kirk Cousins just signed a large contract with the Atlanta Falcons. It's a four-year deal and worth around $180 million. This means he will be playing for the Atlanta Falcons for four football seasons. He got a $50 million bonus when he signed. Also, he's guaranteed to get $90 million in the first two seasons, and another $10 million in 2026, making it a total of $100 million guaranteed.
A lot of people were surprised by Kirk's move to Atlanta. He had been playing for the Minnesota Vikings for around six years, so most people thought he would stay there, but he decided to join the Atlanta Falcons instead. The Vikings wanted to keep him, but they couldn't agree on a contract that made everyone happy.
Who is Kirk Cousins?
Kirk Cousins is a popular American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and he was also drafted by the Washington Redskins in the year 2012.
He initially worked as a backup before becoming the team's starter in the year 2015. Kirk Cousins later joined the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 on a record-setting contract. During his time with the Vikings, he got several Pro Bowl selections and holds significant passing records for the team. Cousins is well known for one of the highest completion percentages and career passer ratings in NFL history, making him one of the most accurate and efficient passers in history.
Full Name
Kirk Daniel Cousins
Position
Quarterback
Team
Atlanta Falcons
Birthdate
August 19, 1988
Age
35 years
Place of Birth
Barrington, Illinois, United States
College
Michigan State Spartans
Spouse
Julie Hampton (married in 2014)
Children
Turner Cousins
Parents
Don Cousins (father), Mary Ann Cousins (mother)
Siblings
Kyle Cousins (brother), Karalyne Cousins (sister)
Kirk Cousins Career
Kirk Cousins went from being a backup quarterback to a star player in the NFL, known for his accurate throws and strong leadership on the field. Here is the list of Kirk Cousins's career in year wise:
2012: Rookie Year with Washington Redskins
2013: Backup Year
2014: Backup Year
2015: Transition to Starter
2016: First Pro Bowl Selection
2017: Final Year with Washington
2018: Move to Minnesota Vikings
2019: First Playoff Win
2020: Contract Extension
2021: Third Pro Bowl Selection
2022: NFC North Title, Fourth Pro Bowl Selection
2023: Injury and Transition to Atlanta Falcons
2024: Joining Atlanta Falcons
