Kirk Cousins leaves Vikings to join Falcons on four-year contract

Kirk Cousins is leaving the Minnesota Vikings for the Atlanta Falcons, bringing an end to his six-year run with the franchise and drastically altering the short-term outlook for two NFC playoff hopefuls.

The veteran quarterback agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Falcons, his agent Mike McCartney confirmed Monday. Multiple reports said the pact was worth $180 million and included $100 million guaranteed.

With Cousins not re-signing with the Vikings prior to the expiration of his contract on March 13, the Vikings will now incur a $28.5 million dead cap hit for 2024.

The four-time Pro Bowl selection steps in as the long-awaited answer for a franchise that has been dogged by poor play behind center ever since trading organizational mainstay Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts two years ago. In 2022, Marcus Mariota was benched late in the season for rookie Desmond Ridder. Rather than pursue Lamar Jackson or another established veteran passer, the Falcons opted to stand behind Ridder as their starter for 2023. But his spate of turnovers and red zone woes led to a late-season benching, and coach Arthur Smith was fired after a third consecutive 7-10 season.

Said new coach Raheem Morris at the NFL scouting combine: "If we had better quarterback play, I’m probably not standing here at this podium."

Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot both vowed to be "aggressive" in bringing on a quarterback this offseason. With Cousins, Atlanta now has an experienced starter who can step in and take advantage of a strong supporting offensive cast that includes three consecutive top-10 picks at skill positions - tight end Kyle Pitts, wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson - and a formidable offensive line.

Cousins, who turns 36 in August, was enjoying one of the best seasons of his career before he tore his Achilles in late October. Through seven weeks, he led the NFL in touchdown passes while ranking second in passing yards and fourth in passer rating.

Cousins posted a video in late February of himself dropping back and throwing at an indoor tennis facility, noting he felt "encouraged" by his progress. He has maintained in recent months he plans to be ready to participate in organized team activities.

The Vikings now are forced to take stock of their external options at quarterback after cycling through three additional starters last season after Cousins was lost. Picking at No. 11 in the first round of this year's NFL draft, Minnesota might need to trade up if it wants to secure one of its top choices for a passer, with the top three picks all expected to be signal-callers.

Later on Monday, the team reached agreement on a one-year, $10 million deal with Sam Darnold, according to multiple reports. After spending 2023 as a backup for the San Francisco 49ers, the former New York Jets and Carolina Panthers signal-caller could return to a starting role as a bridge option.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kirk Cousins contract: Falcons land former Vikings QB on 4-year deal