After weeks of speculation, rumors, and debate, the Atlanta Falcons have found their new quarterback.
Various media reported Monday afternoon that the team has signed Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins as the team’s new starting quarterback. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero first broke the story. Cousins has not been officially announced as the new quarterback by the Falcons, however, and that will not happen until 4 PM Wednesday when the league’s new season officially starts.
The Falcons offered Cousins a four-year, $180 million contract, which includes a $50 million signing bonus. $100 million of that $180 million is guaranteed, with $90 million this year and another $10 million due to Cousins next year.
According to Over The Cap.com, Cousins would be the 10th highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. The website says the cash ratio towards the cap is 0% for 2024. The Falcons had $37 million in available cap space.
The signing of the 35-year-old Cousins ends speculation over who Atlanta’s new passer would be. His name was thrown into the potential Falcons quarterback hat alongside Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields, Denver Boncos (and soon-to-be Pittsburgh Steelers new QB) Russell Wilson, and top QB draft picks like Caleb Williams (USC), Jayden Daniels (LSU), and Drake Maye (NC).
Cousins brings a lot to the table for the wins-hungry Falcons. He was a pro bowler for three of the past five seasons. Last year, as a Viking QB, he completed 69% of his passes for 2331 yards. He scored 18 touchdowns and had no fumbles in the eight games he has played for the Vikings. An Achilles injury cut short his year and gave many observers and Falcons fans pause about his joining the Falcons.
The Barrington, Illinois native played college football for the Michigan State Spartans from 2007-2011. He was a #102 fourth-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. He was a QB for the Washington Commanders (nee-Redskins) from 2012 to 2017, and then the Vikings from 2018 until now. He won the Bart Starr Award in 2023.
He will be the fourth starting QB for the Falcons in three past seasons, following Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke, the latter two for now, remain on the Falcons roster.
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