Kirk Cousins, former quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, signed a contract that could reach $180 million with the Atlanta Falcons. (Photo: Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The agreement between Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons has been considered one of the crown jewels in the first days of free agency in 2024. Cousins signed for 4 years and 180 million dollars (100 million guaranteed) to go to the Falcons, a team that expects the quarterback to be the missing piece to become contenders.
But the arrangement has another point to consider: Cousins, who has won a playoff game throughout his career, he is in a position to exceed the profits of Tom Brady7-time Super Bowl champion, during his career.
Brady added 333 million dollars in contracts with New England Patriots y Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the 100 million guaranteed in the contract, Cousins would get to 330 million throughout his career, and any extra entryeither because he fulfills at least the third year of his contract with the team or makes some adjustment to it, would surpass TB12.
Cousins, a tough negotiator
Throughout his career, Kirk Cousins has stood out for two things: its effectiveness on the playing field and little flexibility to negotiate. When she was in Washingtonthe quarterback and his representative, Mike McCartney, preferred to play two seasons with the franchise tag than sacrificing their financial aspirations in a longer contract.
That long contract came with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018when he signed for 3 years and 84 million dollarsand later signed a two-year extension in Minnesota, which added two more years and 101 million dollars.
A ruptured Achilles tendon prematurely ended Kirk Cousins’ 2023 season. (Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Perhaps the most surprising thing about the former Washington and Vikings quarterback’s fortune is that He barely made it to the NFL as a fourth-round pick. in the 2012 draft, when the same team of the American capital selected Robert Griffin III with the second overall selection.
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Figures from that same Draft like Andrew Luck and Griffin himself have been in retirement for years. Ryan Tannehill y Russell Wilson They are seen as average startersand yet, Cousins is still considered one of the mejores 10 quarterbacks in the NFL, despite recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Bad results or complicated circumstances
The biggest question about Cousins remains his inability to lead teams he has been on to at least one Conference Championship game. In fact, his only victory in the playoffs was in 2020, by slate of 26-20 against the New Orleans Saints.
During his time in Washington, quarterback Kirk Cousins struggled on a team that lacked talent and a good organizational culture. (Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
But the truth is that in both Washington and Minnesota the schools had some deficiencies. In Atlanta, the Captain Kirk seems to arrive in a better situation, although at the time the Vikings thought Cousins was the missing piece get to the Super Bowl.
In his first five years in Minnesota, Cousins averaged 4,187 yards, with 31 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.. Without a doubt, solid numbers for an NFL quarterback, while in 2023 was having the best season of his career but the Achilles tendon injury cut short his campaign.
Still, it is difficult to justify the amount obtained in these contracts by a quarterback who He has not shined in the playoffsand that despite the numbers in the regular season, He has not been considered for Most Valuable Player either. o All Pro Until now.
The difference with Brady
To compare the earnings of Kirk Cousins and Tom Brady it is necessary to take into account several factors that have predominated in the careers of both players. Brady came to a team where the wins in the playoffs and the Super Bowl came very quickly. Because of his competitive spirit, his motivation was more than economic.
Tom Brady, who retired last year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was never among the highest-paid players in the NFL, sacrificing his salary so his teams could hire high-level players. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Brady and At no time was he the highest paid quarterback, despite his success on the field. However, the former Patriots quarterback also worked hand in hand with the franchise’s management to sacrifice some money so they could hire players important to the success of the team.
Cousins has been part of teams under reconstruction or with moderate aspirations, including one with questionable organizational ethics in Washington. And while he noted that he was happy in Minnesota, his wife’s family lives in Atlanta, which will certainly help with family issues.
Atlanta, the perfect storm
It seemed difficult to think that a team would be willing to open its checkbook that much for Cousins in 2024. The quarterback already he is 36 years oldand although it was the biggest name in free agencycomes out of a considerable injury. The Falcons took the risk.
Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons will benefit from having a solid quarterback at the controls. (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Meanwhile he contract is for 4 yearsyou can essentially cut it after the second season and 100 million dollarsor perhaps be restructured to reduce the blows of 35 and 45 million in the third and fourth year, respectively.
The Falcons have a top level defenseand with talented young people in attack as Sesame Robinson, Kyle Pitts y Drake London. However, after three consecutive 7-10 seasons, they have not found a replacement for Matt Ryanwho took them to Super Bowl LI in January 2017.
This is where the Falcons confident Cousins can keep up from last year, and that with a more complete team, finally finds success in the postseason. The situation seems ideal for both sideseven if, as has become customary, Cousins got the better of the negotiation.
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