Current:Home > reviewsKirk Cousins leaves Vikings to join Falcons on four-year contract -ValueMetric
Kirk Cousins leaves Vikings to join Falcons on four-year contract
View
Date:2025-04-13 22:28:57
Kirk Cousins is leaving the Minnesota Vikings for the Atlanta Falcons, bringing an end to his six-year run with the franchise and drastically altering the short-term outlook for two NFC playoff hopefuls.
The veteran quarterback agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Falcons, his agent Mike McCartney confirmed Monday. Multiple reports said the pact was worth $180 million and included $100 million guaranteed.
With Cousins not re-signing with the Vikings prior to the expiration of his contract on March 13, the Vikings will now incur a $28.5 million dead cap hit for 2024.
The four-time Pro Bowl selection steps in as the long-awaited answer for a franchise that has been dogged by poor play behind center ever since trading organizational mainstay Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts two years ago. In 2022, Marcus Mariota was benched late in the season for rookie Desmond Ridder. Rather than pursue Lamar Jackson or another established veteran passer, the Falcons opted to stand behind Ridder as their starter for 2023. But his spate of turnovers and red zone woes led to a late-season benching, and coach Arthur Smith was fired after a third consecutive 7-10 season.
Said new coach Raheem Morris at the NFL scouting combine: "If we had better quarterback play, I’m probably not standing here at this podium."
All things Falcons: Latest Atlanta Falcons news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot both vowed to be "aggressive" in bringing on a quarterback this offseason. With Cousins, Atlanta now has an experienced starter who can step in and take advantage of a strong supporting offensive cast that includes three consecutive top-10 picks at skill positions - tight end Kyle Pitts, wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson - and a formidable offensive line.
Cousins, who turns 36 in August, was enjoying one of the best seasons of his career before he tore his Achilles in late October. Through seven weeks, he led the NFL in touchdown passes while ranking second in passing yards and fourth in passer rating.
Cousins posted a video in late February of himself dropping back and throwing at an indoor tennis facility, noting he felt "encouraged" by his progress. He has maintained in recent months he plans to be ready to participate in organized team activities.
The Vikings now are forced to take stock of their external options at quarterback after cycling through three additional starters last season after Cousins was lost. Picking at No. 11 in the first round of this year's NFL draft, Minnesota might need to trade up if it wants to secure one of its top choices for a passer, with the top three picks all expected to be signal-callers.
veryGood! (9134)
Related
- Michigan lawmaker who was arrested in June loses reelection bid in Republican primary
- Most teens report feeling happy or peaceful when they go without smartphones, Pew survey finds
- Baker Mayfield re-signs with Buccaneers on three-year deal
- When does daylight saving time end? When we 'fall back', gain extra hour of sleep in 2024
- Man charged with murder in death of beloved Detroit-area neurosurgeon
- Kamilla Cardoso embarrasses South Carolina but sting will be fleeting
- Inside a U.S. airdrop mission to rush food into Gaza
- Disney seeks major expansion of California theme park to add more immersive attractions
- The GOP and Kansas’ Democratic governor ousted targeted lawmakers in the state’s primary
- Oscars 2024: Julia Fox Stuns in Nipple-Bearing Look For Elton John’s Watch Party
Ranking
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- How Killers of the Flower Moon's Martin Scorsese Consoled Lily Gladstone After 2024 Oscars Loss
- King Charles III Promises to Serve to the Best of My Ability in Commonwealth Day Address
- Vanessa Hudgens Shows Off Baby Bump in Sheer Look at Vanity Fair Party
- Mega Millions winning numbers for August 6 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $398 million
- Billie Eilish, Ramy Youssef wear red pins for Israel-Gaza ceasefire on Oscars red carpet
- Vanessa Hudgens Shows Off Baby Bump in Sheer Look at Vanity Fair Party
- Kylie Jenner Stuns in New Sam Edelman Campaign: An Exclusive Behind the Scenes Look
Recommendation
3 years after the NFL added a 17th game, the push for an 18th gets stronger
North Carolina, Kentucky headline winners and losers from men's basketball weekend
Trevor Bauer dominates in pitching appearance vs. Los Angeles Dodgers minor leaguers
The Livestock Industry’s Secret Weapons: Expert Academics
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Sophia Bush and Ashlyn Harris Make Debut as a Couple at Elton John's 2024 Oscars Party
NFL draft order 2024: Where every team will make picks over seven rounds, 257 picks
2024 relief pitcher rankings: Stable closers are back in vogue