Quarterback Kirk Cousins was one of the biggest names in free agency this offseason before signing a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. How much will his new team pay him in 2024 and beyond?
Cousins, 36, is a 13-year NFL veteran who has played for three teams over the course of his career. After six solid seasons with the Minnesota Vikings — including three Pro Bowl nods — Cousins became a free agent in the offseason. It was the veteran’s first time becoming a free agent since parting ways with Washington in 2018, and the Falcons jumped at the chance to sign him.
In 2024, Cousins, surrounded by strong offensive support and complemented by an excellent defense, wants to lead Atlanta to the postseason for the first time since 2017.
This is how much the Falcons are paying him:
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Kirk Cousins contract details
The Falcons’ new quarterback signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the team on March 11 of this year. It included a $50 million signing bonus and a $100 million guaranteed bonus.
The average annual value of Cousins’ contract is $45 million, making him the 12th highest-paid quarterback in the NFL this year, along with Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, according to AAV.
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Kirk Cousins’ Salary 2024
Cousins will earn a base salary of $12.5 million this year, plus $12.5 million from his signing bonus. In total, the money the Falcons are paying their new quarterback counts toward their $25 million salary cap hit in 2024.
Since this is the first year of his contract, Cousins’ deal has a dead cap value of $90 million this season.
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Kirk Cousins’ Career Earnings
According to Spotrac, Cousins has earned a total of $294,169,486 in contract money from three teams in his 13-year career.
After his rookie contract with Washington ended in 2015, he signed two consecutive franchise tags with the team before signing a three-year, $84 million deal with the Vikings as a free agent in 2018. Cousins then signed a two-year, $66 million extension in 2020 – a year before his first contract ended – then a one-year, $35 million extension before becoming a free agent again last offseason.
Cousins’ contract with the Falcons is the largest of his career in terms of total value and AAV.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kirk Cousins contract, salary details: This is how much the Falcons QB earns
