Former Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins played six seasons in Minnesota before jumping ship in free agency to the Atlanta Falcons this past offseason. Cousins signed a monster four-year, $180 million contract with $90 million guaranteed in March 2024.
Everything seemed wonderful for Cousins after signing the deal, until the Atlanta Falcons spent their eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to select University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
This was a baffling decision that caught the NFL world and fans completely off guard. Not only that, but the $180 million quarterback was quite irked about the situation as well.
NFL Insider believes it’s possible Kirk Cousins could only play one year in Atlanta
In a perfect world, Penix Jr. would sit and learn behind Cousins for a couple years before becoming a starter. However, the Falcons created an environment where they are going to be under pressure to move to Penix Jr. at some point sooner than Cousins would like.
With that, Dan Graziano (ESPN) says it’s “not an overreaction” to think Cousins could be one-and-done in Atlanta.
Imagine a scenario in which the Falcons struggle this season and decide to move to Penix in 2024. Or how about a scenario in which the constant presence of a top-10 pick at his position looking over his shoulder frustrates Cousins to the point that he wants out? Could the Falcons trade him after one year?
The short answer is yes, though it wouldn’t be the cleanest move ever. Cousins is guaranteed $27.5 million for 2025, and he has a $10 million 2026 roster bonus that becomes fully guaranteed at the start of the 2025 league year this coming March. So any acquiring team would be on the hook for $37.5 million — more than reasonable for a good starting quarterback in 2025. There’s no doubt that if the Falcons made Cousins available next spring, teams would be interested.
Although Cousins signed a four-year deal, Graziano points out the fact that the Falcons actually could get out of the contract after this season by trading Cousins. Cousins does have a no trade clause, but if the dynamic between the team and Cousins continues to sour, he likely would be open to waiving it. Plus, for a new team, $37.5 million for a good starting quarterback isn’t that far fetched nowadays.
Does Kirk Cousins regret leaving the Minnesota Vikings?
At this stage, it’s unclear whether Cousins regrets leaving Minnesota. It was reported that the Vikings were willing to offer him a two-year deal with one-year being fully guaranteed while the second-year allowing the Vikings an out. Cousins said no and decided to chase that potentially last big contract.
In the end, the Minnesota Vikings are better set up for the future. Cousins will be off the books after this upcoming season, allowing the Vikings to finally be able to spend big money in free agency over the next couple years.
Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy has potential under head coach Kevin O’Connell and is surrounding by top skill positions like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. The Vikings made the right move by walking away, and Cousins got the money and stability he desired… or did he?
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