Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTIncluded Columnist IVMarch 14, 2024
Kirk Cousins was formally presented as the Atlanta Falcons quarterback on Wednesday after signing a huge four-year, $180 million offer.
He informed press reporters that a huge part of the choice to leave the Minnesota Vikings and sign up with the Falcons boiled down to dedication.
“I believe in Minnesota, it was trending over the last couple offseasons to being rather year-to-year,” he stated. “As we talked with Atlanta, it seemed like this was a location where, if I dip into the level I anticipate to play, that I can retire a Falcon. That was something that actually delighted me which's definitely the objective. You've got to make the right to do that, however that was amazing to seem like I might get that chance here.”
The rather negative analysis of those remarks is that the Falcons merely wanted to provide Cousins more cash than Minnesota. Atlanta provided a 35-year-old quarterback coming off a torn Achilles– who has actually just won one championship game in his 12-year profession– a massive $100 million in ensured cash.
Spotrac @spotrac
Kirk Cousins' $180M handle the > #Falcons> #NFL > His $100M of useful warranty ties Derek Carr for a lot of all-time in complimentary firm.
Kevin Seifert @SeifertESPN
The Falcons included a $10M lineup bonus offer for 2026 that ends up being completely ensured if Cousins is on their lineup on 5th day of 2025 league year. Unless Cousins is one-and-done, an extremely not likely situation, there are $100M in warranties here. (2/2)
If Minnesota had doubts about how Cousins would age or merely didn't see him as a leading alternative, it made good sense not to match that offer. Based upon Cousins' remarks, the Vikings most likely provided a shorter-term offer that would not leave them on the hook down the line for significant cash if the veteran quarterback considerably decreased throughout the agreement.
Some quarterbacks stay efficient into their late 30s and even 40s. Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady are exceptional examples. When regression strikes, it can get unsightly, and quickly. The Denver Broncos surely are sorry for the five-year, $245 million extension that Russell Wilson signed back in 2022.
Cutting Wilson this offseason–before that extension even began— will cost the Broncos a massive quantity of dead cap over the next 2 seasons:
Spotrac @spotrac
The Broncos selected to decrease Russell Wilson's $22M (ensured) alternative bonus offer before launching him. This sped up all $39M of wage into 2024 for cap functions. > Resulting Dead Cap Hits> 2024: $53M> 2025: $32M
Would Cousins still remain in Minnesota if the Vikings provided a comparable level of ensured cash and years?
Most likely. 3 of his 4 Pro Bowl seasons can be found in Minnesota, he led the group to a set of playoff berths, he formed a vibrant connection with the very best young wideout in football,
