What is Kirk Cousins's Net Worth and Salary?
Kirk Cousins is an American professional football player who has a net worth of $120 million. He currently plays for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. Cousins has had an impressive career with prolific stints at the Washington Redskins from 2012 to 2017 and the Minnesota Vikings from 2018 to 2023. During his time with the Vikings, he received three Pro Bowl selections and reached third place on the franchise's all-time passing yards list.
Contracts and $400+ Million Career Earnings
After an outstanding 2015 season, Cousins was franchise-tagged by Washington, resulting in a one-year salary of $22 million. The following season, his salary increased to $24 million due to another franchise tag. Choosing to bet on himself, Cousins eventually entered free agency. He joined the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, signing a groundbreaking $84 million fully-guaranteed contract.
In March 2020, he extended his tenure with the Vikings by signing a two-year, $66 million contract with a $30 million signing bonus, placing him among the highest-paid NFL players globally. By March 2024, Cousins had amassed $231 million in salaries alone and secured a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, which includes a $50 million signing bonus. His career earnings are projected to surpass $410 million by the end of this contract.
Early Life and High School
Kirk Cousins was born on August 19, 1988, in Barrington, Illinois. He was raised with two siblings by Maryann and Don Cousins. Growing up, Kirk attended Holland Christian High School in Michigan, where he excelled in football, baseball, and basketball. He accumulated 3,204 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions during his high school football career.
Collegiate Career
Cousins attended Michigan State University on a football scholarship. After redshirting his freshman year in 2007, he served as backup quarterback in 2008. He became the starting quarterback in 2009, recording 2,680 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. In 2010, he led the Spartans to an 11-2 record and a Big Ten Conference title tie. Despite losing the 2011 Big Ten Championship Game, Cousins guided the Spartans to an Outback Bowl win against Georgia Bulldogs in early 2012.
Washington Redskins
In the 2012 NFL Draft, Cousins was chosen by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round. Over his rookie season, he recorded 466 passing yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. As the Redskins topped the NFC East, they were eliminated in the Wild Card Round. In 2013, Cousins posted 854 passing yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions in five games. He had 1,710 passing yards, ten touchdowns, and nine interceptions in the 2014 season.
The 2015 season marked Cousins' breakout year. He led the Redskins to the largest comeback win in franchise history against the Buccaneers. His performance earned him two NFC Offensive Player of the Week awards and the NFC Offensive Player of the Month honor. The Redskins topped the NFC East but were ousted from the Wild Card Round by the Packers. In 2016, Cousins threw for a career and franchise-high 4,917 yards, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. He continued his upward trajectory in 2017 with 4,093 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, and accrued a career-high 179 rushing yards.
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Minnesota Vikings
In 2018, Cousins signed with the Minnesota Vikings. He logged 4,298 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in his first season, although the team narrowly missed the playoffs. He earned his second Pro Bowl selection in 2019 and helped the Vikings to the Divisional Round. The 2020 season saw Cousins throw for 4,265 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. His 2021 season performance earned him another Pro Bowl selection, despite the Vikings not making the playoffs.
2019 saw Cousins' excellence leading the Vikings to playoff runs, reaching the Divisional Round but eventually succumbing to the 49ers. Cousins earned another Pro Bowl selection in 2020, finishing the season with 4,265 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. In 2021 and 2022, he continued to display elite performance, notably orchestrating an unprecedented 39-36 overtime win, the largest comeback in NFL history.
Despite a strong 2023 start, Cousins suffered an Achilles injury, cutting short his season. Nonetheless, his legacy with the Vikings remains intact, and his achievements blur the line between individual accolades and team success.
Atlanta Falcons
In March 2024, Kirk Cousins signed a lucrative four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, symbolizing the next chapter in his storied career.
Personal Life
Kirk Cousins married Julie Hampton in the summer of 2014. The couple has two sons, Cooper and Turner. Off the field, Cousins is a devout evangelical Christian.
