Report: Kirk Cousins signing 4-year-deal with Falcons

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Kirk Cousins is leaving the Midwest, signing a 4-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, broke the news on social media without giving any specifics on the contract, but NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reports the deal is worth $180 million, including a $50 million signing bonus and $100 million overall in guaranteed money.

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The Holland Christian graduate and former Michigan State Spartan has spent the last six seasons leading the Minnesota Vikings and entered free agency on Monday with questions on whether he would stay or go.

Cousins has proven to be a solid starting quarterback during his time with the Vikings, helping the team win the 2022 NFC North title and one other postseason appearance.

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He was in the middle of another steady season before he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the Vikings’ Week 8 win over the Green Bay Packers.

According to NFL.com, the Falcons were expected to be big players in the free-agent market after struggling to find a steady quarterback after trading Matt Ryan in 2022.

The Vikings could be looking to draft one of the highly regarded quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL Draft. Minnesota currently has the No. 11 pick. Several mock drafts expect Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy to be drafted by the Vikings.

Cousins was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by Washington. Despite being drafted in the same class as Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, Cousins eventually won the job. He played six seasons in Washington before signing with Minnesota in 2018.

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