In a shocking turn of events, quarterback Kirk Cousins has signed a massive four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, with $100 million in hard guarantees. This deal boosts Cousins’ career earnings to a jaw-dropping $321 million, making him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL.
Despite only having one playoff win under his belt, Cousins’ strategy of playing out his contracts and choosing his destinations in free agency has proven to be successful, as he continues to rake in lucrative deals. Atlanta seems to be the perfect fit for Cousins, with a stacked offense and familiar schemes that should help elevate his game.
However, Cousins’ move to Atlanta has had ripple effects throughout the league, especially in the trade market for quarterbacks. Justin Fields, the quarterback for the Chicago Bears, now has limited potential landing spots due to Cousins’ new deal.
The quarterback landscape has been reshaped, with the rookie quarterback class now divided into an elite top tier and a second tier, which could impact the draft order. Additionally, Cousins’ contract with the Falcons may impact future quarterback extensions, including negotiations for Jared Goff and other quarterbacks.
As Goff’s extension talks with the Detroit Lions continue, it is possible that his asking price could see a considerable increase in light of Cousins’ record-breaking contract. Only time will tell how Cousins’ deal with the Falcons will impact the rest of the NFL quarterback market.
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