Kirk Cousins has managed to maximize his earnings in the NFL by going from a modest rookie contract to lucrative contracts. After starting out as a fourth-round pick in 2012 and not earning much at first, he took his chance and played under the franchise tag for Washington, which led to a series of fully guaranteed contracts with the Vikings. In 2024, Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons that included $100 million guaranteed, putting him at the top of the all-time NFL player earnings list. Despite his financial success, he hasn’t earned any playoff wins, yet he ranks impressively in career passing stats.
In numbers
- Cousins has earned $331.7 million in his career through 2024 and is currently second among active players.
- He signed a four-year contract with the Falcons worth $180 million, with $100 million guaranteed.
Yes but
Although Cousins has amassed a fortune, he is the only player among the current top earners who has not won a Super Bowl title, raising questions about his playoff performance relative to his salary.
Current status
- Cousins now trails only Aaron Rodgers in all-time NFL earnings.
- As the salary cap increases, younger quarterbacks will also climb up the salary rankings.
What’s next
Cousins will look to capitalize on his new contract while continuing to improve his performance on the field. His financial success will also likely come with increased attention, especially with playoff results in mind.
Conclusion
Kirk Cousins is an example of how to leverage a career in the NFL for financial gain, but without postseason success, his legacy will remain incomplete compared to his earnings.
