Kirk Cousins Announces Career News Amid Vikings QB Uncertainty

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Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins

A recent move by the Atlanta Falcons regarding Kirk Cousins has left the veteran quarterback as a potential candidate to return to the Minnesota Vikings.

In a postgame interview following a 19-17 win over the New Orleans Saints to close the season, Cousins said he’ll have to “see what the market is like in March” when asked about his return for a 15th season in the NFL.

That comment and the Falcons’ firings of Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot were writing on the wall that there’s a strong chance he is released by the Falcons this offseason.

Later the following week, Cousins and the Falcons agreed to restructure the guarantees in the final two years of his deal, making it easier to stomach releasing him before free agency opens.

“As part of the restructure, there is now a guarantee in the amount of $67.9 million for the 2027 season that vests on March 13,” ESPN Field Yates reported on Tuesday, January 6. “Given the highly unlikely nature that the Falcons or any team that would acquire Cousins via a trade prior to March 13 would want to be on the hook for that $67.9 million, a decision on Cousins’ future could come prior to that date.”

The Falcons floundered for much of the season whether it was Cousins or Michael Penix Jr. under center. But after Penix suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 11, Cousins took over a 3-7 team and won five of his final seven starts of the season, throwing for 1,291 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions in that span.

Cousins, 37, appears eager to continue playing at the same time that his former team in the Vikings, is dealing with a quarterback crisis with J.J. McCarthy.

Vikings Expected to Be Aggressive in QB Search, Kirk Cousins Among Ideal Targets

Entering the final weekend of the regular season, The Athletic’s Diana Russini reported that the Vikings have “plans to explore established options via trade or free agency to strengthen its quarterback room.”

Colleague and Vikings beat reporter Alec Lewis added to Russini’s report that “little is off the table in terms of how aggressive the Vikings will be, according to multiple team and league sources.

“McCarthy’s role will hinge on what else is available, as well as his offseason growth in the relevant physical, mental and emotional areas that he himself cited Sunday evening,” Lewis wrote on January 4.

The Vikings will need to find a veteran quarterback who not only is capable of playing winning football in their system, but also is willing to sign a cost-effective contract.

If Cousins is cut, he could be willing to take a hometown discount to return to Minnesota.

But if he is looking for one more check, there is another tier of veteran quarterbacks in need of reclamation that could become viable like Kyler Murray, Mac Jones or Tua Tagovailoa.

How Much Has Kirk Cousins Earned in His Career?

Earlier this season, Cousins had a $10 million roster bonus toll for the 2026 season that elevated his career earnings to $331.69 million.

He ranks third all-time in career earnings behind only Matthew Stafford ($408.32 million) and Aaron Rodgers ($394.31 million).

Here’s a full breakdown of Cousins’ yearly earnings in the NFL:

Trevor Squire is a sports journalist covering the NFL and NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks. Trevor studied journalism at the University of Minnesota — Twin Cities, making stops at the Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. You can reach him at trevor.squire@heavy.com and follow him on Twitter @trevordsquire. More about Trevor Squire