3 NFL Teams Emerge As Legit Frontrunners For Kirk Cousins
3 NFL Teams Emerge As Legit Frontrunners For Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins’ time with the Atlanta Falcons looks like it might be winding down. The team is weighing its options during what’s turning into a pretty crucial offseason.
Other NFL franchises have started to circle, and honestly, the rumor mill is in overdrive about where Cousins could end up. High-profile teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns have been tossed into the mix, each hunting for that missing piece to push them toward the playoffs, or maybe even a Super Bowl run.
The Minnesota Vikings are still loosely connected to Cousins, but they’re clearly leaning into J.J. McCarthy for the future, so a reunion seems far-fetched. Atlanta’s front office has basically said they’ll listen to anything that helps the team, with a potential blockbuster trade possibly brewing for the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Steelers, Browns and possibly Vikings could be involved in a trade involving Kirk Cousins, sources say.
Minnesota is looked at as the least likely scenario, given their preference to favor J.J. McCarthy, and Cousins would need to sign off on any deal he’s involved in.… pic.twitter.com/HGxVeNsbFC
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 23, 2025
Kirk Cousins’ NFL Career Has Brought Substantial Earnings
Kirk Cousins has built a strong financial foundation over his years as an NFL quarterback. After being selected in the NFL Draft, he got his start with the Washington franchise.
He consistently improved his contracts through performance and negotiation. Notably, in 2018, Cousins signed a groundbreaking deal with the Minnesota Vikings—an $84 million contract that was fully guaranteed.
This marked one of the highest achievements in terms of base salary and signing bonus for a veteran quarterback at the time. By 2025, Cousins’ total career earnings have reached approximately $294 million.
That’s a staggering sum, putting him among the most financially successful NFL quarterbacks out there. Oddly enough, he’s managed this without a Super Bowl appearance or any real playoff glory.
The teams he’s played for include Washington, Minnesota, and the Atlanta Falcons.
Cousins’ contract history and ability to maximize value in free agency highlight his reputation as a savvy negotiator in the league.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
