Kirk Cousins
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Former Vikings and Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins
The Atlanta Falcons’ new general manager, Ian Cunningham, discussed a variety of topics with the media on February 24 while attending the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
One of the most telling updates — though it had been anticipated for weeks — was confirmation that the Falcons plan to release veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.
“Cunningham says he spoke with Kirk Cousins and his agent recently and told them the plan was to release Cousins the first day of the league year,” ESPN’s Marc Raimondi reported.
Thanks to a restructuring of Cousins’ contract shortly after the regular season, Atlanta softened the cap impact. He will be designated as a post-June 1 release on March 11, carrying a $24.6 million cap hit this year, along with dead cap charges of $22.5 million in 2026 and $12.5 million in 2027, according to Spotrac.
Of that, $10 million was guaranteed as a roster bonus with offset language attached.
Kirk Cousins’ Is Now One Of NFL’s Highest Earners In History
To see where Cousins began in his career makes his financial rise all the more remarkable. Drafted in the fourth round (No. 102 overall) by Washington in 2012, he signed a four-year, $2.5 million rookie contract.
He has since parlayed that into becoming one of the highest-paid players in NFL history.
According to Warren Sharp, Cousins ranks fourth all-time in career earnings. Matthew Stafford leads at $403 million, followed by Aaron Rodgers at $395 million and Tom Brady at $333 million. Cousins sits just behind them at $322 million.
The glaring difference, as Sharp points out, is postseason success. The other three quarterbacks have Super Bowl titles. Cousins has just one playoff win in his career.
Warren Sharp
Most NFL Career Earnings:
$403M – Matthew Stafford – 1x SB Champ, 7 playoff wins
$395M – Aaron Rodgers – 1x SB Champ, 11 playoff wins
$333M – Tom Brady – 7x SB Champ, 35 playoff wins
$322M – Kirk Cousins – 1 playoff win
Washington franchise-tagged him in 2017 for $23.9 million. After hitting free agency, the Minnesota Vikings signed him to a fully guaranteed three-year, $84 million deal in 2018. Minnesota later extended him twice — first with a two-year, $66 million extension and then a one-year, $35 million deal.
Despite suffering an Achilles injury that limited him to eight games in his final season with Minnesota, Cousins again hit free agency and quickly landed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons.
The partnership in Atlanta never became what many envisioned. Cousins played two seasons with the Falcons and was benched midway through his first year for rookie Michael Penix Jr. In total, he appeared in 24 games, going 12-10 as a starter, while earning roughly $100 million.
Spotrac
Kirk Cousins will take away $100M from the #Falcons having appeared in 24 games across 2024-2025.
The 37-year-old has now secured over $331M in his NFL career.
Kirk Cousins Could Be Set Up For Reunion In Free Agency
Now 37, Cousins is preparing to enter free agency for the third time in his career — and there are expected to be plenty of suitors vying for his services.
One obvious possibility is a return to Minnesota with head coach Kevin O’Connell.
With uncertainty still surrounding J.J. McCarthy, who will technically be entering his third season, the Vikings could revisit Cousins — especially at a significantly lower price than what he commanded in 2024 — and bookmark his career where he played at his best for six years.
“And so I think they pounce on Cousins, the all-around safer pick (compared to Aaron Rodgers and McCarthy). Cousins will get O’Connell’s system humming again,” Fox Sports’ Henry McKenna wrote.