Kirk Cousins, the quarterback, is set to leave the Vikings for a 4-year deal with the Falcons.
The Atlanta Falcons have signed former Minnesota Vikings free agent Kirk Cousins on a four-year deal worth $180 million ($45 million per season), including $100 million guaranteed, to resolve their franchise quarterback issues. Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, confirmed the deal.The Minnesota Vikings have not reached a contract agreement with quarterback Kirk, despite positive dialogue with him and his representatives. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah expressed gratitude for Kirk’s leadership and contributions to the team and the Minneapolis-St. Paul community over the past six seasons.
The Vikings are moving forward with plans to build a roster capable of competing for a championship, despite the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position heading into free agency.
Cousins joins a Falcons offense featuring first-round players like Jake Matthews, Kaleb McGary, and Chris Lindstrom. The team also has Atlanta’s last three first-round picks, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson, as well as talented skill position players like Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson.
Atlanta has ended its multiyear search for a replacement for 2016 NFL MVP Matt Ryan, who was traded to the Indianapolis Colts. The team signed Marcus Mariota as starting quarterback and drafted Desmond Ridder in the third round of the 2022 draft. Ridder started the last four games of 2022 and entered 2023 as the team’s top quarterback.
In 2023, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Ridder was benched twice and replaced by Taylor Heinicke. However, neither player performed well, leading to the team’s firing of former head coach Arthur Smith and replacing him with Raheem Morris. Team owner Arthur Blank called Ridder’s performance “deficient” and vowed to address the team’s issues. Both Ridder and Heinicke are under contract for 2024, but the Falcons can save $6.96 million against the cap if Heinicke is released and avoid paying him a $1.32 million roster bonus if he leaves on March 17.
