The Atlanta Falcons have lastly solved their franchise quarterback points.
The membership agreed to phrases on a four-year take care of former Minnesota Vikings free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins on Monday based on his agent, Mike McCartney. Monetary phrases of the deal weren’t instantly introduced.
Cousins joins an offense which has a number of first spherical picks. The Falcons have three first-round offensive linemen — left deal with Jake Matthews, proper deal with Kaleb McGary and two-time Professional Bowler Chris Lindstrom at proper guard. He additionally has Atlanta’s final three first spherical picks — tight finish Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London and working again Bijan Robinson — as ability place gamers to throw to.
Atlanta signing Cousins places to an finish the staff’s multiyear pursuit of discovering a substitute for former NFL MVP Matt Ryan, who the staff traded to the Indianapolis Colts earlier than the 2022 season after a failed pursuit of Deshaun Watson.
The Falcons then signed Marcus Mariota to be their beginning quarterback and drafted Desmond Ridder within the third spherical of the 2022 draft. Mariota lasted 13 video games because the starter earlier than being benched for Ridder, who began the final 4 video games of the 2022 season and entered 2023 because the staff’s prime quarterback.
Ridder ended up benched twice in 2023 in favor of backup Taylor Heinicke, however neither performed nicely finally resulting in the firing of former coach Arthur Smith and the hiring of Raheem Morris. Within the information convention addressing Smith’s firing, staff proprietor Arthur Clean referred to as the quarterback play final season “poor,” and vowed to unravel the staff’s points on the place.
Ridder accomplished 64.2% of his passes final season for two,836 yards, 12 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 12 fumbles. Heinicke accomplished 54.4% of his passes for 890 yards, 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Each Ridder and Heinicke are below contract for the 2024 season, however the Falcons can save $6.96 million towards the cap if he is launched and likewise would keep away from paying him a $1.32 million roster bonus if he is not with Atlanta on March 17.
Cousins, 35, was having one among his finest seasons in 2023 and had been one of many NFL’s most sturdy quarterbacks earlier than tearing his proper Achilles tendon in Week 8 at Lambeau Discipline. On the time, he was tied for the NFL lead in passing touchdowns (18) and ranked second in passing yards (2,331).
Earlier than the harm, he had began 136 of a attainable 138 video games since ascending to QB1 with the Washington Commanders in 2015. A type of two missed begins occurred when the Vikings had been resting their starters for the playoffs in 2019, and the opposite got here after a constructive COVID-19 take a look at in 2021.
Cousins spent three seasons as Washington’s full-time starter however by no means discovered widespread floor on a long-term extension. He performed his remaining two seasons with the staff on the franchise tag, setting himself as much as enter the free agent market in 2018 at age 30 — a uncommon entrance of a high-level quarterback obtainable to each NFL staff within the prime of his profession.
The Vikings, one yr faraway from backup Case Keenum taking them to the 2017 NFC Championship Recreation, pounced rapidly, hoping he may raise the staff into the Tremendous Bowl. They met his demand for a totally assured three-year contract price $84 million and since had signed him to extensions in 2020 and 2022 to supply short-term wage cap aid.
The Vikings didn’t, nevertheless, substantively enhance their pursuit of the Tremendous Bowl throughout that point. They’d a 50-37-1 common season file with one NFC North title and had been 1-2 in two playoff video games.
In consequence, throughout negotiations within the spring of 2023, basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah determined towards extending the assured portion of Cousins’ contract past the 2024 season. As an alternative, the perimeters agreed to an adjustment that allowed the Vikings to decrease his wage cap quantity and assured Cousins a path to free company in 2024 with out the Vikings having use of the franchise tag.
The four-time Professional Bowl choice ranks fifth amongst energetic quarterbacks — and twenty fourth all-time — with 39,471 passing yards in 12 NFL seasons. Cousins’ 270 touchdowns rank twentieth all-time, and he has 110 interceptions. He additionally has rushed for 958 yards and one other 19 scores.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.
The Atlanta Falcons have lastly solved their franchise quarterback points.
The membership agreed to phrases on a four-year take care of former Minnesota Vikings free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins on Monday based on his agent, Mike McCartney. Monetary phrases of the deal weren’t instantly introduced.
Cousins joins an offense which has a number of first spherical picks. The Falcons have three first-round offensive linemen — left deal with Jake Matthews, proper deal with Kaleb McGary and two-time Professional Bowler Chris Lindstrom at proper guard. He additionally has Atlanta’s final three first spherical picks — tight finish Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London and working again Bijan Robinson — as ability place gamers to throw to.
Atlanta signing Cousins places to an finish the staff’s multiyear pursuit of discovering a substitute for former NFL MVP Matt Ryan, who the staff traded to the Indianapolis Colts earlier than the 2022 season after a failed pursuit of Deshaun Watson.
The Falcons then signed Marcus Mariota to be their beginning quarterback and drafted Desmond Ridder within the third spherical of the 2022 draft. Mariota lasted 13 video games because the starter earlier than being benched for Ridder, who began the final 4 video games of the 2022 season and entered 2023 because the staff’s prime quarterback.
Ridder ended up benched twice in 2023 in favor of backup Taylor Heinicke, however neither performed nicely finally resulting in the firing of former coach Arthur Smith and the hiring of Raheem Morris. Within the information convention addressing Smith’s firing, staff proprietor Arthur Clean referred to as the quarterback play final season “poor,” and vowed to unravel the staff’s points on the place.
Ridder accomplished 64.2% of his passes final season for two,836 yards, 12 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 12 fumbles. Heinicke accomplished 54.4% of his passes for 890 yards, 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Each Ridder and Heinicke are below contract for the 2024 season, however the Falcons can save $6.96 million towards the cap if he is launched and likewise would keep away from paying him a $1.32 million roster bonus if he is not with Atlanta on March 17.
Cousins, 35, was having one among his finest seasons in 2023 and had been one of many NFL’s most sturdy quarterbacks earlier than tearing his proper Achilles tendon in Week 8 at Lambeau Discipline. On the time, he was tied for the NFL lead in passing touchdowns (18) and ranked second in passing yards (2,331).
Earlier than the harm, he had began 136 of a attainable 138 video games since ascending to QB1 with the Washington Commanders in 2015. A type of two missed begins occurred when the Vikings had been resting their starters for the playoffs in 2019, and the opposite got here after a constructive COVID-19 take a look at in 2021.
Cousins spent three seasons as Washington’s full-time starter however by no means discovered widespread floor on a long-term extension. He performed his remaining two seasons with the staff on the franchise tag, setting himself as much as enter the free agent market in 2018 at age 30 — a uncommon entrance of a high-level quarterback obtainable to each NFL staff within the prime of his profession.
The Vikings, one yr faraway from backup Case Keenum taking them to the 2017 NFC Championship Recreation, pounced rapidly, hoping he may raise the staff into the Tremendous Bowl. They met his demand for a totally assured three-year contract price $84 million and since had signed him to extensions in 2020 and 2022 to supply short-term wage cap aid.
The Vikings didn’t, nevertheless, substantively enhance their pursuit of the Tremendous Bowl throughout that point. They’d a 50-37-1 common season file with one NFC North title and had been 1-2 in two playoff video games.
In consequence, throughout negotiations within the spring of 2023, basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah determined towards extending the assured portion of Cousins’ contract past the 2024 season. As an alternative, the perimeters agreed to an adjustment that allowed the Vikings to decrease his wage cap quantity and assured Cousins a path to free company in 2024 with out the Vikings having use of the franchise tag.
The four-time Professional Bowl choice ranks fifth amongst energetic quarterbacks — and twenty fourth all-time — with 39,471 passing yards in 12 NFL seasons. Cousins’ 270 touchdowns rank twentieth all-time, and he has 110 interceptions. He additionally has rushed for 958 yards and one other 19 scores.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.
The Atlanta Falcons have lastly solved their franchise quarterback points.
The membership agreed to phrases on a four-year take care of former Minnesota Vikings free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins on Monday based on his agent, Mike McCartney. Monetary phrases of the deal weren’t instantly introduced.
Cousins joins an offense which has a number of first spherical picks. The Falcons have three first-round offensive linemen — left deal with Jake Matthews, proper deal with Kaleb McGary and two-time Professional Bowler Chris Lindstrom at proper guard. He additionally has Atlanta’s final three first spherical picks — tight finish Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London and working again Bijan Robinson — as ability place gamers to throw to.
Atlanta signing Cousins places to an finish the staff’s multiyear pursuit of discovering a substitute for former NFL MVP Matt Ryan, who the staff traded to the Indianapolis Colts earlier than the 2022 season after a failed pursuit of Deshaun Watson.
The Falcons then signed Marcus Mariota to be their beginning quarterback and drafted Desmond Ridder within the third spherical of the 2022 draft. Mariota lasted 13 video games because the starter earlier than being benched for Ridder, who began the final 4 video games of the 2022 season and entered 2023 because the staff’s prime quarterback.
Ridder ended up benched twice in 2023 in favor of backup Taylor Heinicke, however neither performed nicely finally resulting in the firing of former coach Arthur Smith and the hiring of Raheem Morris. Within the information convention addressing Smith’s firing, staff proprietor Arthur Clean referred to as the quarterback play final season “poor,” and vowed to unravel the staff’s points on the place.
Ridder accomplished 64.2% of his passes final season for two,836 yards, 12 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 12 fumbles. Heinicke accomplished 54.4% of his passes for 890 yards, 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Each Ridder and Heinicke are below contract for the 2024 season, however the Falcons can save $6.96 million towards the cap if he is launched and likewise would keep away from paying him a $1.32 million roster bonus if he is not with Atlanta on March 17.
Cousins, 35, was having one among his finest seasons in 2023 and had been one of many NFL’s most sturdy quarterbacks earlier than tearing his proper Achilles tendon in Week 8 at Lambeau Discipline. On the time, he was tied for the NFL lead in passing touchdowns (18) and ranked second in passing yards (2,331).
Earlier than the harm, he had began 136 of a attainable 138 video games since ascending to QB1 with the Washington Commanders in 2015. A type of two missed begins occurred when the Vikings had been resting their starters for the playoffs in 2019, and the opposite got here after a constructive COVID-19 take a look at in 2021.
Cousins spent three seasons as Washington’s full-time starter however by no means discovered widespread floor on a long-term extension. He performed his remaining two seasons with the staff on the franchise tag, setting himself as much as enter the free agent market in 2018 at age 30 — a uncommon entrance of a high-level quarterback obtainable to each NFL staff within the prime of his profession.
The Vikings, one yr faraway from backup Case Keenum taking them to the 2017 NFC Championship Recreation, pounced rapidly, hoping he may raise the staff into the Tremendous Bowl. They met his demand for a totally assured three-year contract price $84 million and since had signed him to extensions in 2020 and 2022 to supply short-term wage cap aid.
The Vikings didn’t, nevertheless, substantively enhance their pursuit of the Tremendous Bowl throughout that point. They’d a 50-37-1 common season file with one NFC North title and had been 1-2 in two playoff video games.
In consequence, throughout negotiations within the spring of 2023, basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah determined towards extending the assured portion of Cousins’ contract past the 2024 season. As an alternative, the perimeters agreed to an adjustment that allowed the Vikings to decrease his wage cap quantity and assured Cousins a path to free company in 2024 with out the Vikings having use of the franchise tag.
The four-time Professional Bowl choice ranks fifth amongst energetic quarterbacks — and twenty fourth all-time — with 39,471 passing yards in 12 NFL seasons. Cousins’ 270 touchdowns rank twentieth all-time, and he has 110 interceptions. He additionally has rushed for 958 yards and one other 19 scores.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.
The Atlanta Falcons have lastly solved their franchise quarterback points.
The membership agreed to phrases on a four-year take care of former Minnesota Vikings free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins on Monday based on his agent, Mike McCartney. Monetary phrases of the deal weren’t instantly introduced.
Cousins joins an offense which has a number of first spherical picks. The Falcons have three first-round offensive linemen — left deal with Jake Matthews, proper deal with Kaleb McGary and two-time Professional Bowler Chris Lindstrom at proper guard. He additionally has Atlanta’s final three first spherical picks — tight finish Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London and working again Bijan Robinson — as ability place gamers to throw to.
Atlanta signing Cousins places to an finish the staff’s multiyear pursuit of discovering a substitute for former NFL MVP Matt Ryan, who the staff traded to the Indianapolis Colts earlier than the 2022 season after a failed pursuit of Deshaun Watson.
The Falcons then signed Marcus Mariota to be their beginning quarterback and drafted Desmond Ridder within the third spherical of the 2022 draft. Mariota lasted 13 video games because the starter earlier than being benched for Ridder, who began the final 4 video games of the 2022 season and entered 2023 because the staff’s prime quarterback.
Ridder ended up benched twice in 2023 in favor of backup Taylor Heinicke, however neither performed nicely finally resulting in the firing of former coach Arthur Smith and the hiring of Raheem Morris. Within the information convention addressing Smith’s firing, staff proprietor Arthur Clean referred to as the quarterback play final season “poor,” and vowed to unravel the staff’s points on the place.
Ridder accomplished 64.2% of his passes final season for two,836 yards, 12 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 12 fumbles. Heinicke accomplished 54.4% of his passes for 890 yards, 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Each Ridder and Heinicke are below contract for the 2024 season, however the Falcons can save $6.96 million towards the cap if he is launched and likewise would keep away from paying him a $1.32 million roster bonus if he is not with Atlanta on March 17.
Cousins, 35, was having one among his finest seasons in 2023 and had been one of many NFL’s most sturdy quarterbacks earlier than tearing his proper Achilles tendon in Week 8 at Lambeau Discipline. On the time, he was tied for the NFL lead in passing touchdowns (18) and ranked second in passing yards (2,331).
Earlier than the harm, he had began 136 of a attainable 138 video games since ascending to QB1 with the Washington Commanders in 2015. A type of two missed begins occurred when the Vikings had been resting their starters for the playoffs in 2019, and the opposite got here after a constructive COVID-19 take a look at in 2021.
Cousins spent three seasons as Washington’s full-time starter however by no means discovered widespread floor on a long-term extension. He performed his remaining two seasons with the staff on the franchise tag, setting himself as much as enter the free agent market in 2018 at age 30 — a uncommon entrance of a high-level quarterback obtainable to each NFL staff within the prime of his profession.
The Vikings, one yr faraway from backup Case Keenum taking them to the 2017 NFC Championship Recreation, pounced rapidly, hoping he may raise the staff into the Tremendous Bowl. They met his demand for a totally assured three-year contract price $84 million and since had signed him to extensions in 2020 and 2022 to supply short-term wage cap aid.
The Vikings didn’t, nevertheless, substantively enhance their pursuit of the Tremendous Bowl throughout that point. They’d a 50-37-1 common season file with one NFC North title and had been 1-2 in two playoff video games.
In consequence, throughout negotiations within the spring of 2023, basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah determined towards extending the assured portion of Cousins’ contract past the 2024 season. As an alternative, the perimeters agreed to an adjustment that allowed the Vikings to decrease his wage cap quantity and assured Cousins a path to free company in 2024 with out the Vikings having use of the franchise tag.
The four-time Professional Bowl choice ranks fifth amongst energetic quarterbacks — and twenty fourth all-time — with 39,471 passing yards in 12 NFL seasons. Cousins’ 270 touchdowns rank twentieth all-time, and he has 110 interceptions. He additionally has rushed for 958 yards and one other 19 scores.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.
The Atlanta Falcons have lastly solved their franchise quarterback points.
The membership agreed to phrases on a four-year take care of former Minnesota Vikings free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins on Monday based on his agent, Mike McCartney. Monetary phrases of the deal weren’t instantly introduced.
Cousins joins an offense which has a number of first spherical picks. The Falcons have three first-round offensive linemen — left deal with Jake Matthews, proper deal with Kaleb McGary and two-time Professional Bowler Chris Lindstrom at proper guard. He additionally has Atlanta’s final three first spherical picks — tight finish Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London and working again Bijan Robinson — as ability place gamers to throw to.
Atlanta signing Cousins places to an finish the staff’s multiyear pursuit of discovering a substitute for former NFL MVP Matt Ryan, who the staff traded to the Indianapolis Colts earlier than the 2022 season after a failed pursuit of Deshaun Watson.
The Falcons then signed Marcus Mariota to be their beginning quarterback and drafted Desmond Ridder within the third spherical of the 2022 draft. Mariota lasted 13 video games because the starter earlier than being benched for Ridder, who began the final 4 video games of the 2022 season and entered 2023 because the staff’s prime quarterback.
Ridder ended up benched twice in 2023 in favor of backup Taylor Heinicke, however neither performed nicely finally resulting in the firing of former coach Arthur Smith and the hiring of Raheem Morris. Within the information convention addressing Smith’s firing, staff proprietor Arthur Clean referred to as the quarterback play final season “poor,” and vowed to unravel the staff’s points on the place.
Ridder accomplished 64.2% of his passes final season for two,836 yards, 12 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 12 fumbles. Heinicke accomplished 54.4% of his passes for 890 yards, 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Each Ridder and Heinicke are below contract for the 2024 season, however the Falcons can save $6.96 million towards the cap if he is launched and likewise would keep away from paying him a $1.32 million roster bonus if he is not with Atlanta on March 17.
Cousins, 35, was having one among his finest seasons in 2023 and had been one of many NFL’s most sturdy quarterbacks earlier than tearing his proper Achilles tendon in Week 8 at Lambeau Discipline. On the time, he was tied for the NFL lead in passing touchdowns (18) and ranked second in passing yards (2,331).
Earlier than the harm, he had began 136 of a attainable 138 video games since ascending to QB1 with the Washington Commanders in 2015. A type of two missed begins occurred when the Vikings had been resting their starters for the playoffs in 2019, and the opposite got here after a constructive COVID-19 take a look at in 2021.
Cousins spent three seasons as Washington’s full-time starter however by no means discovered widespread floor on a long-term extension. He performed his remaining two seasons with the staff on the franchise tag, setting himself as much as enter the free agent market in 2018 at age 30 — a uncommon entrance of a high-level quarterback obtainable to each NFL staff within the prime of his profession.
The Vikings, one yr faraway from backup Case Keenum taking them to the 2017 NFC Championship Recreation, pounced rapidly, hoping he may raise the staff into the Tremendous Bowl. They met his demand for a totally assured three-year contract price $84 million and since had signed him to extensions in 2020 and 2022 to supply short-term wage cap aid.
The Vikings didn’t, nevertheless, substantively enhance their pursuit of the Tremendous Bowl throughout that point. They’d a 50-37-1 common season file with one NFC North title and had been 1-2 in two playoff video games.
In consequence, throughout negotiations within the spring of 2023, basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah determined towards extending the assured portion of Cousins’ contract past the 2024 season. As an alternative, the perimeters agreed to an adjustment that allowed the Vikings to decrease his wage cap quantity and assured Cousins a path to free company in 2024 with out the Vikings having use of the franchise tag.
The four-time Professional Bowl choice ranks fifth amongst energetic quarterbacks — and twenty fourth all-time — with 39,471 passing yards in 12 NFL seasons. Cousins’ 270 touchdowns rank twentieth all-time, and he has 110 interceptions. He additionally has rushed for 958 yards and one other 19 scores.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.
The Atlanta Falcons have lastly solved their franchise quarterback points.
The membership agreed to phrases on a four-year take care of former Minnesota Vikings free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins on Monday based on his agent, Mike McCartney. Monetary phrases of the deal weren’t instantly introduced.
Cousins joins an offense which has a number of first spherical picks. The Falcons have three first-round offensive linemen — left deal with Jake Matthews, proper deal with Kaleb McGary and two-time Professional Bowler Chris Lindstrom at proper guard. He additionally has Atlanta’s final three first spherical picks — tight finish Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London and working again Bijan Robinson — as ability place gamers to throw to.
Atlanta signing Cousins places to an finish the staff’s multiyear pursuit of discovering a substitute for former NFL MVP Matt Ryan, who the staff traded to the Indianapolis Colts earlier than the 2022 season after a failed pursuit of Deshaun Watson.
The Falcons then signed Marcus Mariota to be their beginning quarterback and drafted Desmond Ridder within the third spherical of the 2022 draft. Mariota lasted 13 video games because the starter earlier than being benched for Ridder, who began the final 4 video games of the 2022 season and entered 2023 because the staff’s prime quarterback.
Ridder ended up benched twice in 2023 in favor of backup Taylor Heinicke, however neither performed nicely finally resulting in the firing of former coach Arthur Smith and the hiring of Raheem Morris. Within the information convention addressing Smith’s firing, staff proprietor Arthur Clean referred to as the quarterback play final season “poor,” and vowed to unravel the staff’s points on the place.
Ridder accomplished 64.2% of his passes final season for two,836 yards, 12 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 12 fumbles. Heinicke accomplished 54.4% of his passes for 890 yards, 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Each Ridder and Heinicke are below contract for the 2024 season, however the Falcons can save $6.96 million towards the cap if he is launched and likewise would keep away from paying him a $1.32 million roster bonus if he is not with Atlanta on March 17.
Cousins, 35, was having one among his finest seasons in 2023 and had been one of many NFL’s most sturdy quarterbacks earlier than tearing his proper Achilles tendon in Week 8 at Lambeau Discipline. On the time, he was tied for the NFL lead in passing touchdowns (18) and ranked second in passing yards (2,331).
Earlier than the harm, he had began 136 of a attainable 138 video games since ascending to QB1 with the Washington Commanders in 2015. A type of two missed begins occurred when the Vikings had been resting their starters for the playoffs in 2019, and the opposite got here after a constructive COVID-19 take a look at in 2021.
Cousins spent three seasons as Washington’s full-time starter however by no means discovered widespread floor on a long-term extension. He performed his remaining two seasons with the staff on the franchise tag, setting himself as much as enter the free agent market in 2018 at age 30 — a uncommon entrance of a high-level quarterback obtainable to each NFL staff within the prime of his profession.
The Vikings, one yr faraway from backup Case Keenum taking them to the 2017 NFC Championship Recreation, pounced rapidly, hoping he may raise the staff into the Tremendous Bowl. They met his demand for a totally assured three-year contract price $84 million and since had signed him to extensions in 2020 and 2022 to supply short-term wage cap aid.
The Vikings didn’t, nevertheless, substantively enhance their pursuit of the Tremendous Bowl throughout that point. They’d a 50-37-1 common season file with one NFC North title and had been 1-2 in two playoff video games.
In consequence, throughout negotiations within the spring of 2023, basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah determined towards extending the assured portion of Cousins’ contract past the 2024 season. As an alternative, the perimeters agreed to an adjustment that allowed the Vikings to decrease his wage cap quantity and assured Cousins a path to free company in 2024 with out the Vikings having use of the franchise tag.
The four-time Professional Bowl choice ranks fifth amongst energetic quarterbacks — and twenty fourth all-time — with 39,471 passing yards in 12 NFL seasons. Cousins’ 270 touchdowns rank twentieth all-time, and he has 110 interceptions. He additionally has rushed for 958 yards and one other 19 scores.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.
The Atlanta Falcons have lastly solved their franchise quarterback points.
The membership agreed to phrases on a four-year take care of former Minnesota Vikings free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins on Monday based on his agent, Mike McCartney. Monetary phrases of the deal weren’t instantly introduced.
Cousins joins an offense which has a number of first spherical picks. The Falcons have three first-round offensive linemen — left deal with Jake Matthews, proper deal with Kaleb McGary and two-time Professional Bowler Chris Lindstrom at proper guard. He additionally has Atlanta’s final three first spherical picks — tight finish Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London and working again Bijan Robinson — as ability place gamers to throw to.
Atlanta signing Cousins places to an finish the staff’s multiyear pursuit of discovering a substitute for former NFL MVP Matt Ryan, who the staff traded to the Indianapolis Colts earlier than the 2022 season after a failed pursuit of Deshaun Watson.
The Falcons then signed Marcus Mariota to be their beginning quarterback and drafted Desmond Ridder within the third spherical of the 2022 draft. Mariota lasted 13 video games because the starter earlier than being benched for Ridder, who began the final 4 video games of the 2022 season and entered 2023 because the staff’s prime quarterback.
Ridder ended up benched twice in 2023 in favor of backup Taylor Heinicke, however neither performed nicely finally resulting in the firing of former coach Arthur Smith and the hiring of Raheem Morris. Within the information convention addressing Smith’s firing, staff proprietor Arthur Clean referred to as the quarterback play final season “poor,” and vowed to unravel the staff’s points on the place.
Ridder accomplished 64.2% of his passes final season for two,836 yards, 12 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 12 fumbles. Heinicke accomplished 54.4% of his passes for 890 yards, 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Each Ridder and Heinicke are below contract for the 2024 season, however the Falcons can save $6.96 million towards the cap if he is launched and likewise would keep away from paying him a $1.32 million roster bonus if he is not with Atlanta on March 17.
Cousins, 35, was having one among his finest seasons in 2023 and had been one of many NFL’s most sturdy quarterbacks earlier than tearing his proper Achilles tendon in Week 8 at Lambeau Discipline. On the time, he was tied for the NFL lead in passing touchdowns (18) and ranked second in passing yards (2,331).
Earlier than the harm, he had began 136 of a attainable 138 video games since ascending to QB1 with the Washington Commanders in 2015. A type of two missed begins occurred when the Vikings had been resting their starters for the playoffs in 2019, and the opposite got here after a constructive COVID-19 take a look at in 2021.
Cousins spent three seasons as Washington’s full-time starter however by no means discovered widespread floor on a long-term extension. He performed his remaining two seasons with the staff on the franchise tag, setting himself as much as enter the free agent market in 2018 at age 30 — a uncommon entrance of a high-level quarterback obtainable to each NFL staff within the prime of his profession.
The Vikings, one yr faraway from backup Case Keenum taking them to the 2017 NFC Championship Recreation, pounced rapidly, hoping he may raise the staff into the Tremendous Bowl. They met his demand for a totally assured three-year contract price $84 million and since had signed him to extensions in 2020 and 2022 to supply short-term wage cap aid.
The Vikings didn’t, nevertheless, substantively enhance their pursuit of the Tremendous Bowl throughout that point. They’d a 50-37-1 common season file with one NFC North title and had been 1-2 in two playoff video games.
In consequence, throughout negotiations within the spring of 2023, basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah determined towards extending the assured portion of Cousins’ contract past the 2024 season. As an alternative, the perimeters agreed to an adjustment that allowed the Vikings to decrease his wage cap quantity and assured Cousins a path to free company in 2024 with out the Vikings having use of the franchise tag.
The four-time Professional Bowl choice ranks fifth amongst energetic quarterbacks — and twenty fourth all-time — with 39,471 passing yards in 12 NFL seasons. Cousins’ 270 touchdowns rank twentieth all-time, and he has 110 interceptions. He additionally has rushed for 958 yards and one other 19 scores.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.
The Atlanta Falcons have lastly solved their franchise quarterback points.
The membership agreed to phrases on a four-year take care of former Minnesota Vikings free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins on Monday based on his agent, Mike McCartney. Monetary phrases of the deal weren’t instantly introduced.
Cousins joins an offense which has a number of first spherical picks. The Falcons have three first-round offensive linemen — left deal with Jake Matthews, proper deal with Kaleb McGary and two-time Professional Bowler Chris Lindstrom at proper guard. He additionally has Atlanta’s final three first spherical picks — tight finish Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London and working again Bijan Robinson — as ability place gamers to throw to.
Atlanta signing Cousins places to an finish the staff’s multiyear pursuit of discovering a substitute for former NFL MVP Matt Ryan, who the staff traded to the Indianapolis Colts earlier than the 2022 season after a failed pursuit of Deshaun Watson.
The Falcons then signed Marcus Mariota to be their beginning quarterback and drafted Desmond Ridder within the third spherical of the 2022 draft. Mariota lasted 13 video games because the starter earlier than being benched for Ridder, who began the final 4 video games of the 2022 season and entered 2023 because the staff’s prime quarterback.
Ridder ended up benched twice in 2023 in favor of backup Taylor Heinicke, however neither performed nicely finally resulting in the firing of former coach Arthur Smith and the hiring of Raheem Morris. Within the information convention addressing Smith’s firing, staff proprietor Arthur Clean referred to as the quarterback play final season “poor,” and vowed to unravel the staff’s points on the place.
Ridder accomplished 64.2% of his passes final season for two,836 yards, 12 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 12 fumbles. Heinicke accomplished 54.4% of his passes for 890 yards, 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Each Ridder and Heinicke are below contract for the 2024 season, however the Falcons can save $6.96 million towards the cap if he is launched and likewise would keep away from paying him a $1.32 million roster bonus if he is not with Atlanta on March 17.
Cousins, 35, was having one among his finest seasons in 2023 and had been one of many NFL’s most sturdy quarterbacks earlier than tearing his proper Achilles tendon in Week 8 at Lambeau Discipline. On the time, he was tied for the NFL lead in passing touchdowns (18) and ranked second in passing yards (2,331).
Earlier than the harm, he had began 136 of a attainable 138 video games since ascending to QB1 with the Washington Commanders in 2015. A type of two missed begins occurred when the Vikings had been resting their starters for the playoffs in 2019, and the opposite got here after a constructive COVID-19 take a look at in 2021.
Cousins spent three seasons as Washington’s full-time starter however by no means discovered widespread floor on a long-term extension. He performed his remaining two seasons with the staff on the franchise tag, setting himself as much as enter the free agent market in 2018 at age 30 — a uncommon entrance of a high-level quarterback obtainable to each NFL staff within the prime of his profession.
The Vikings, one yr faraway from backup Case Keenum taking them to the 2017 NFC Championship Recreation, pounced rapidly, hoping he may raise the staff into the Tremendous Bowl. They met his demand for a totally assured three-year contract price $84 million and since had signed him to extensions in 2020 and 2022 to supply short-term wage cap aid.
The Vikings didn’t, nevertheless, substantively enhance their pursuit of the Tremendous Bowl throughout that point. They’d a 50-37-1 common season file with one NFC North title and had been 1-2 in two playoff video games.
In consequence, throughout negotiations within the spring of 2023, basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah determined towards extending the assured portion of Cousins’ contract past the 2024 season. As an alternative, the perimeters agreed to an adjustment that allowed the Vikings to decrease his wage cap quantity and assured Cousins a path to free company in 2024 with out the Vikings having use of the franchise tag.
The four-time Professional Bowl choice ranks fifth amongst energetic quarterbacks — and twenty fourth all-time — with 39,471 passing yards in 12 NFL seasons. Cousins’ 270 touchdowns rank twentieth all-time, and he has 110 interceptions. He additionally has rushed for 958 yards and one other 19 scores.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.