Kirk Cousins: NFL Star, Financial Force, And Family Man

Kirk Cousins' Net Worth and Salary: How Did He Get Here?

Let’s talk about Kirk Cousins, the NFL quarterback who’s not just making waves on the field but also stacking up serious cash. With a net worth of $160 million, Cousins has carved out a name for himself as one of the league's top quarterbacks. He started his journey as a fourth-round draft pick by the Washington Football Team back in 2012. At first, he was Robert Griffin III’s backup, but by 2015, he’d stepped into the starting role and never looked back. His breakout performance earned him a groundbreaking $85 million fully-guaranteed contract with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, a deal that set the bar for NFL contracts.

Throughout his career, Cousins has been nothing short of impressive. Known for his pinpoint accuracy, durability, and consistently strong stats, he's earned multiple Pro Bowl nods and led his teams to several playoff appearances. However, playoff success has been a bit elusive for him. In 2023, his season was cut short due to an Achilles injury during a Week 8 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. But Cousins isn’t one to slow down. In March 2024, he inked a $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons, proving that his value in the league remains sky-high.

Contracts and Career Earnings: Betting on Himself

After a standout 2015 season, Washington slapped Kirk with a franchise tag, keeping him on the team without letting him hit free agency. But here’s the kicker: it came with a one-year salary of $22 million. They tagged him again the following year, bumping his salary up to $24 million. If they’d tagged him a third time, his salary would’ve jumped by 44%. Instead, Washington let him become a free agent, and Cousins decided to take a bold step by gambling on himself in free agency. This wasn’t the first or last time he’d make that move, and it paid off big time.

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When Cousins joined the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, he signed a then-record-breaking fully-guaranteed $84 million contract. Before that, he reportedly considered an offer from the New York Jets that would’ve paid him $60 million in his first season alone, plus bonuses. Talk about options!

In March 2020, he extended his stay with the Vikings by signing a two-year, $66 million contract extension that included a $30 million signing bonus. This deal cemented him as one of the highest-paid NFL players globally and placed him among the top 30 highest-paid entertainers. Fast forward to 2024, and Cousins became a free agent once again. Instead of locking in a deal beforehand, he took another gamble on himself. From his NFL debut in 2012 to March 2024, he had already earned $231 million in salary alone. On March 11, 2024, he signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, which included a $50 million signing bonus and $100 million in guaranteed money. By the time this contract wraps up, his career earnings will exceed $410 million.

Early Life and High School: A Star Is Born

Kirk Cousins was born on August 19, 1988, in Barrington, Illinois, as the middle child of Maryann and Don. Growing up, he was a multi-sport standout at Holland Christian High School in Michigan. Whether it was football, baseball, or basketball, Cousins excelled in all of them. On the gridiron, he racked up 3,204 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and just 18 interceptions during his high school career. It was clear early on that this kid had something special.

Collegiate Career: Building a Foundation

Cousins earned a football scholarship to Michigan State University, where his journey really took off. After sitting out his freshman year in 2007 due to redshirting, he spent the 2008 season backing up Brian Hoyer. But in 2009, he stepped into the starting role and put up impressive numbers: 2,680 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in just 12 games. The following year, he led the Spartans to an 11-2 record and a share of the Big Ten Conference title with the Wisconsin Badgers. In 2011, he guided the Spartans to an 11-3 record and the inaugural Big Ten Football Championship Game, though they fell to Wisconsin. The season ended with a victory in the Outback Bowl against the Georgia Bulldogs, showcasing Cousins' growing leadership and skill.

Washington Football Team: Breaking Through

In the 2012 NFL Draft, Cousins was selected by the Washington Football Team in the fourth round, seventh overall. His rookie season was relatively quiet, playing in just three games and tallying 466 passing yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. Despite this, Washington finished atop the NFC East but lost in the Wild Card Round to the Seattle Seahawks. The following year, Cousins recorded 854 passing yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions in five games as the Redskins missed the playoffs.

Things started heating up for Cousins in 2015. He helped the Redskins pull off one of the greatest comebacks in franchise history, throwing the winning touchdown pass in the final seconds of a Week 7 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to secure a 31-30 victory. That season, he won two NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors and one NFC Offensive Player of the Month award. He also led the league in completion percentage at 69.8%. While the Redskins clinched the NFC East, they were eliminated in the Wild Card Round by the Green Bay Packers.

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Cousins’ success continued in 2016 when he shattered records with 4,917 passing yards, earning his first career Pro Bowl selection. In 2017, he recorded his third consecutive 4,000-yard season, posting 4,093 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just 13 interceptions. That year, he also set a career-high with 179 rushing yards on 49 attempts.

Minnesota Vikings: A New Chapter

In 2018, Cousins signed with the Minnesota Vikings, marking a fresh start. His first season with the team was a success, as he racked up 4,298 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions. Unfortunately, the Vikings narrowly missed the playoffs. In 2019, though his stats weren’t as eye-popping, he still earned his second career Pro Bowl nod as the Vikings made it to the Divisional Round before falling to the San Francisco 49ers.

The 2020 season saw Cousins post 4,265 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, but the Vikings failed to reach the playoffs. The next year, he threw for 4,221 yards, 33 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions, earning his third career Pro Bowl selection. Yet again, the Vikings couldn’t advance to the playoffs. But in 2022, the Vikings had a standout season, highlighted by a historic Week 15 game against the Indianapolis Colts, where Cousins helped the team complete the largest comeback in NFL history with a 39-36 overtime win. The Vikings finished atop the NFC North, but their playoff run ended in the Wild Card Round against the New York Giants. In 2023, Cousins’ season ended prematurely due to an Achilles injury in Week 8 against the Packers.

2024 Atlanta Falcons Contract: A New Team, New Challenges

In March 2024, Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. However, things didn’t go as smoothly as hoped. By December, the Falcons had benched him, with rumors swirling that they might cut him. If that happens, the Falcons would still owe him $90 million. By the time he was benched, Cousins had played 14 games and thrown for 17 touchdowns.

Personal Life: Beyond the Gridiron

Off the field, Cousins has built a fulfilling personal life. In the summer of 2014, he married Julie Hampton, and together they have two sons, Cooper and Turner. Beyond his family, Cousins is deeply committed to his faith as a practicing evangelical Christian. His life both on and off the field reflects a man who values hard work, family, and faith.