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Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer
The Atlanta Falcons have finally solved their franchise quarterback problem.
The club on Monday agreed to a four-year contract with former Minnesota Vikings free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, according to his agent Mike McCartney.
A source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Cousins' contract is worth $180 million ($45 million per season), including $100 million in guaranteed money.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement: “After meaningful and positive conversations with Kirk and his representatives, this decision fits the short- and long-term vision of both Kirk and the Minnesota Vikings. “We were unable to reach an agreement on a contract to do so.” . “Kirk holds a special place in Vikings history, and we are grateful for his leadership and contributions to the team and the Minneapolis-St. Paul community over the past six seasons. We wish him, his wife, Julie, and their children all the best.'' “Our approach to free agency always included a contingency regarding the quarterback position. , we are moving forward with plans that allow us to continue building a roster that can compete for championships.”
Cousins joins an offensive line that includes several players taken in the first round. The Falcons have three first-round offensive linemen — left tackle Jake Matthews, right tackle Caleb McGary and two-time Pro Bowler Chris Lindstrom at right guard. He also has three of Atlanta's recent first-round picks (tight end Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake Rondon and running back Bijan Robinson) as skill position players to work with.
By agreeing to terms with Cousins, Atlanta should end the team's multi-year search to find a replacement for former NFL MVP Matt Ryan after failing to land Deshaun Watson. Matt Ryan traded Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts before the 2022 season.
The Falcons then signed Marcus Mariota as their starting quarterback and selected Desmond Ridder in the third round of the 2022 draft. Mariota appeared in 13 games as a starter and came on the bench in Ridder's place, but Ridder started the final four games of the 2022 season and entered 2023 as the team's top quarterback.
Ridder was benched twice in 2023 in favor of backup Taylor Heinicke, but neither played well, and the Falcons ultimately fired former head coach Arthur Smith and replaced him. We have Raheem Morris. In a press conference addressing Smith's firing, team owner Arthur Blank called the quarterback's play last season “poor” and vowed to fix the team's problems at the position.
Ridder completed 64.2 percent of his passes last season for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 12 fumbles. Heinicke completed 54.4 percent of his passes for 890 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Both Ridder and Heinicke are under contract through the 2024 season, but the Falcons would save $6.96 million against the cap if he is released and if he is not in Atlanta on March 17th. will also not have to pay a $1.32 million roster bonus.
Cousins, 35, had one of his best seasons in 2023 and was one of the most durable quarterbacks in the NFL before tearing his right Achilles tendon in Week 8 at Lambeau Field. Ta. At the time, he was tied for first in the NFL in passing touchdowns (18) and ranked second in passing yards (2,331).
Before the injury, he had started 136 of the 138 games he was available for since being promoted to QB1 with the Washington Commanders in 2015. One of those two false starts occurred in 2019 when the Vikings were resting their starters for the playoffs, and the other occurred after a game. In 2021, he tested positive for the new coronavirus.
Cousins spent three seasons as Washington's full-time starter, but could not find common ground with a long-term extension. He played his final two seasons with teams on the franchise tag, setting himself up to hit the free agent market at age 30 in 2018. This is unusual for a high-level quarterback that every NFL team can acquire in the prime of his career. .
The Vikings are a year removed from backup Case Keenum, who took the team to the NFC Championship Game in 2017, but they will soon be moving on in hopes that he might lift the team to the Super Bowl. It attacked me. They honored his request for a fully guaranteed three-year contract worth $84 million and have since signed him to extensions in 2020 and 2022 to provide short-term salary cap relief.
However, the Vikings never materially improved their Super Bowl bid during that time. They were 50-37-1 in the regular season with one NFC North title and were 1-2 in two games in the playoffs.
As a result, during spring 2023 negotiations, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah decided not to extend the guaranteed portion of Cousins' contract beyond the 2024 season. Instead, the teams agreed to an arrangement that would allow the Vikings to lower Cousins' salary cap number and guarantee Cousins a path to free agency in 2024 without the Vikings using the franchise tag. .
The four-time Pro Bowl selection ranks fifth among active quarterbacks and 24th all-time with 39,471 passing yards in 12 NFL seasons. Cousins ranks 20th all-time with 270 touchdowns and 110 interceptions. He also rushed for 958 yards and scored 19 more scores.
ESPN's Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.
