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We all knew the day would be coming. Kirk Cousins, the Vikings starting quarterback from 2018-2023, who signed a massive four-year deal with Atlanta prior to this season, has been benched. Falcons HC Raheem Morris made the announcement today, story from NFL.com. Cousins and the Falcons offense have struggled mightily in the previous several weeks. They BARELY beat the Raiders last night, and put up a paltry 15 points against the league’s 31st ranked defense. The lone touchdown pass that Cousins threw last night was his first touchdown pass since week 9 (November 3rd). Michael Penix will be the Falcons starter, at least for now.
As you remember, the Vikings front office tried to re-sign Cousins to play in Minnesota again in 2024. Cousins didn’t like that the team wouldn’t offer guarantees beyond year 2 of the contract, and Atlanta made an offer that matched Cousins’ demands, so he decided to move on. I’m guessing he’s regretting that decision right now. I’m guessing the Falcons are also regretting their decision.
The Falcons are basically married to Cousins and his paycheck through the 2025 season. After that, they can cut him and avoid his $57.5 million 2026 cap hit (LOL), but they’ll still incur $25 million in dead cap (previously paid money that is hitting the team’s salary cap regardless). They can release him, but they’ll still be paying him. He’s going to be a very expensive bench warmer. I took a screen shot of his salary, retrieved from Spotrac.
I like Kirk, he seems like a genuinely good guy and a good husband and dad. He’s a guy I respect as a person. What I don’t like about Kirk is his focus on milking every contract for every last penny, and demanding to be one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the league. That’s all well and good if you can produce results commesurate with the contract, but Kirk has just never been able to do that. He’s put up some amazing stats, but has failed to elevate his team, and in 11 seasons has failed to get past the divisional round of the playoffs. For those reasons, I am grateful that the Falcons made the offer, because it saved the Vikings from making a big mistake.
As you know, things in the NFL can change on a dime, and Kirk could be starting again as early as Sunday. I hope the best for him.
Poor Kirk……
This might ruin him as a player.
KAM is GM of year!!!
This: “What I don’t like about Kirk is his focus on milking every contract for every last penny, and demanding to be one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the league.”
Lots of folks on social media are bashing the contract the Falcons gave Kirk, especially at his age and after the Achilles injury. I didn’t chime in because everyone here knows I always hated that he was the first QB to get a mega, fully guaranteed contract. I’m just glad this time that it’s the Falcons and not the Vikings stuck with this contract.
Amen
Should go over to the Falcons site and play Toby Keith’s “How do you like me now”
hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Hi new guy.
Hope things are going well for you and the family.
Miss you Rob
This is amazing. I am so glad that the Vikings held strong. Still pissed that they even offered him 38 mil or whatever. Guy has been fools gold his entire career.
His agent is still laughing over this current contract.
Dodged a bullet, big time.