Kirk Cousins reveals what part of Vikings’ offer forced $180,000,000 Falcons move in free agency
Kirk Cousins left the Minnesota Vikings in free agency to sign with the Atlanta Falcons. Cousins inked a four-year, $180 million contract to go to the Falcons, which has many thinking Atlanta could be set to challenge for the NFC South.
It was a bit of a surprise that Cousins left Minnesota, but the quarterback has said the reason he signed for Atlanta was the multi-year deal on offer. Cousins told "Scoop City" that Minnesota wanted him on one-year deals, which wasn't ideal for him:
"There were a lot of positives, but ultimately, it just felt like, you know, it was going to be it had been and it was going to be basically one year, one year, one year. And I felt, yeah, maybe I do play in Minnesota for another five or six years, but it's going to be on one-year contracts. That's how they want us the path they've chosen that they want to walk.
"So I thought, okay, I don't really want to do that. If there's a better I'll do it. If it's my only option, and it ended up not being my only option."
The Vikings' reluctance to offer Kirk Cousins a multi-year deal ultimately played a role in the quarterback leaving Minnesota after six seasons. However, Minnesota did draft J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall selection and they picked up Sam Darnold, who will likely be the starting quarterback to begin the season.
Kirk Cousins cleared to practice after torn Achilles
Kirk Cousins was officially cleared to practice earlier this week as he recovers from a torn Achilles. Cousins tore his Achilles in Week 8 of the 2023 season, but the quarterback is expected to be ready for Week 1. However, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has told Cousins he will not play in any of Atlanta's preseason games.
"I want to play, but I think those asks fell on deaf ears," Cousins said, via ESPN... "I feel like there was a lot to work through. It's now in the rear-view mirror and that's a good feeling."
Before the torn Achilles, Cousins went 216-for-311 for 2,331 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions on the season. Atlanta will open its 2024 season at home on Sept. 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and their first road game will be in Week 2 when they travel to play the Philadelphia Eagles.