Kirk Cousins Net Worth 2024: Kirk Cousins is an NFL quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons with an estimated net worth of $120 million in 2024, known for his accurate passing and lucrative contracts throughout his career.
Key Takeaways
- Kirk Cousins has an estimated net worth of $120 million as of 2024
- He signed a 4-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024
- Cousins has earned over $294 million in NFL salary over his 12-year career
- He holds several franchise records for the Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings
- Cousins is known for his accuracy and consistency as an NFL quarterback
Kirk Cousins: The $120 Million Man
Net Worth and Contracts
Kirk Cousins has established himself as one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in NFL history. As of 2024, his estimated net worth stands at an impressive $120 million. This substantial wealth stems primarily from his lucrative NFL contracts and endorsements.
In March 2024, Cousins signed a monumental 4-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. This deal includes a $50 million signing bonus and $100 million in guaranteed money. His average annual salary of $45 million places him among the top earners in the league.
Prior to joining the Falcons, Cousins played for the Minnesota Vikings from 2018 to 2023. During his time in Minnesota, he signed multiple high-value contracts, including a fully guaranteed 3-year, $84 million deal in 2018. This groundbreaking contract was the first fully guaranteed, multi-year deal for a quarterback in NFL history.
Throughout his 12-year NFL career, Cousins has amassed over $294 million in salary earnings. His ability to secure large contracts, often betting on himself in free agency, has been a hallmark of his professional journey.
Early Life and Education
Kirk Cousins was born on August 19, 1988, in Barrington, Illinois. He grew up in a Christian household, with his father Don Cousins working as a minister. The family later moved to Holland, Michigan, where Kirk attended Holland Christian High School.
At Holland Christian, Cousins excelled in multiple sports, including football, baseball, and basketball. His high school football career was particularly noteworthy, as he threw for 3,204 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions.
After high school, Cousins accepted a scholarship to play football at Michigan State University. He redshirted his freshman year in 2007 and gradually worked his way up the depth chart. By his junior year in 2009, Cousins had secured the starting quarterback position for the Spartans.
During his college career, Cousins set several Michigan State records and led the team to multiple bowl game appearances. He finished his time at Michigan State with 9,131 passing yards, 66 touchdowns, and a 64.1% completion rate. Cousins also excelled academically, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors multiple times.
NFL Career
Washington Redskins (now Commanders)
The Washington Redskins selected Kirk Cousins in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, picking him 102nd overall. This selection came as a surprise to many, as the Redskins had already drafted quarterback Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick.
Cousins initially served as Griffin’s backup but got opportunities to start due to injuries and performance issues. His breakout season came in 2015 when he took over as the full-time starter. That year, Cousins led the NFL in completion percentage (69.8%) and helped Washington win the NFC East division.
In both 2016 and 2017, Washington placed the franchise tag on Cousins, preventing him from becoming a free agent. During this period, he continued to put up strong numbers, surpassing 4,000 passing yards in three consecutive seasons.
Minnesota Vikings
After playing under the franchise tag for two years, Cousins hit free agency in 2018 and signed with the Minnesota Vikings. His time in Minnesota was marked by statistical success and individual accolades, including three Pro Bowl selections (2019, 2021, 2022).
With the Vikings, Cousins consistently ranked among the league leaders in passing yards and touchdowns. He set several franchise records, including the most passing touchdowns in a single season (35 in 2020). However, team success proved more elusive, with only two playoff appearances in his six seasons with Minnesota.
Atlanta Falcons
In 2024, Cousins joined the Atlanta Falcons on a lucrative four-year contract. This move represents a new chapter in his career as he aims to lead the Falcons back to playoff contention.
Career Statistics and Achievements
Throughout his NFL career, Kirk Cousins has compiled impressive statistics:
- Passing Yards: 40,097
- Touchdowns: 274
- Interceptions: 113
- Completion Percentage: 66.9%
- Passer Rating: 98.0
Notable achievements include:
- 4x Pro Bowl selection (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022)
- NFL completion percentage leader (2015)
- Bart Starr Award (2023)
- Multiple franchise records for Washington and Minnesota
Cousins is known for his accuracy and consistency. He ranks fifth all-time in completion percentage (minimum 1,500 attempts) and eighth in NFL career passer rating.
Personal Life
Kirk Cousins married Julie Hampton in 2014. The couple has two sons: Cooper (born 2017) and Turner (born 2019). Cousins is known for his strong Christian faith, which he often speaks about publicly.
Off the field, Cousins is involved in various charitable endeavors. He has supported organizations like International Justice Mission and Compassion International. In 2023, he was awarded the Bart Starr Award, which recognizes a player for outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field, and in the community.
Controversies and Criticisms
While generally maintaining a positive public image, Cousins has faced some controversies and criticisms during his career:
- COVID-19 Vaccine Stance: In 2021, Cousins drew attention for his decision not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This led to some public backlash and the termination of his partnership with a Michigan hospital.
- Primetime Performance: Critics have pointed to Cousins’ struggles in primetime and playoff games. His record in Monday Night Football games, in particular, has been a point of contention.
- Contract Negotiations: Cousins’ approach to contract negotiations, often prioritizing fully guaranteed money, has been both praised and criticized within NFL circles.
Assets and Lifestyle
With his substantial earnings, Cousins has invested in real estate and maintains a comfortable lifestyle. However, he is also known for his frugal habits, famously driving a dented van early in his NFL career.
Cousins owns homes in Michigan and Minnesota. While he enjoys some luxuries, he generally maintains a lower-profile lifestyle compared to many of his NFL peers.
Latest News
Cousins’ Career Night Propels Falcons to Overtime Victory
Kirk Cousins delivered a historic performance on Thursday night, leading the Atlanta Falcons to a thrilling 36-30 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The veteran quarterback showcased his elite passing skills, amassing an incredible 509 yards through the air and connecting on four touchdown passes.
This remarkable outing places Cousins in rare company, as he becomes just the 22nd quarterback in NFL history to surpass the 500-yard mark in a single game. His precision and decision-making were on full display, particularly in crucial moments of the contest.
Clutch play in crunch time was a defining feature of Cousins’ game. He engineered multiple scoring drives when the Falcons needed them most, including a game-winning 45-yard touchdown strike to KhaDarel Hodge in overtime. This play capped off an impressive comeback effort by Atlanta.
Cousins’ leadership extended beyond his on-field heroics. In a post-game celebration, he embraced team culture by participating in the “Swag Surfin'” dance, much to the delight of his teammates and fans. This moment highlighted Cousins’ growing comfort and influence within the Falcons organization.
The quarterback’s own assessment of his performance focused on improved decisiveness. Cousins noted that he felt more confident in his reads and throws compared to previous outings this season. This mental sharpness, combined with his physical tools, proved to be a winning formula for Atlanta.
As the Falcons improve their record to 4-3, Cousins is silencing doubters who questioned his ability to lead a new team after his departure from Minnesota. His integration into Atlanta’s offense appears to be accelerating, which bodes well for the team’s playoff aspirations in a competitive NFC South division.
Recent Performance Against the Chiefs
In the Falcons’ Week 3 game against the Kansas City Chiefs in September 2024, Kirk Cousins achieved a significant career milestone. He became the fourth-fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 40,000 passing yards. This accomplishment puts Cousins in elite company, matching the pace set by Hall of Famer Dan Marino.
Despite this individual achievement, the game resulted in a 22-17 loss for the Falcons. Cousins finished the night completing 20 of 30 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns. However, he also threw a crucial interception that was returned for a touchdown by Chiefs safety Justin Reid.
Post-Game Comments
After the game, Cousins addressed the media, acknowledging the team’s struggles in sustaining drives during the second and third quarters. He emphasized the need for improvement, particularly in maintaining offensive momentum throughout the game.
Cousins stated, “We didn’t sustain drives enough in the second and third quarter. That’s where we’ve got to be better.” He also praised the Chiefs’ defensive adjustments, noting their effectiveness in disrupting the Falcons’ offensive rhythm.
Team Dynamics and Future Outlook
The loss to the Chiefs brings the Falcons’ record to 2-1 for the season. While Cousins’ individual performances have been solid, the team is still working on finding consistent success. Head coach Arthur Smith expressed confidence in Cousins’ leadership and ability to guide the offense, but also stressed the need for overall team improvement.
As the Falcons move forward in the season, all eyes will be on Cousins to see if he can translate his statistical success into more wins for the team. The upcoming games will be crucial in determining whether the Falcons can contend for a playoff spot in the competitive NFC South.
This latest news underscores Cousins’ continued productivity as a passer, while also highlighting the challenges he faces in leading a new team to consistent victory. The balance between individual achievements and team success remains a key narrative in Cousins’ career as he settles into his role with the Falcons.
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