Signing(s): Kirk Cousins signs with the Falcons (4 years, $180 million)

[AtlantaWhaler]

My last post breaks it down, from what I found on Spotrac.

After 2 years, the Falcons would have paid Cousins $90 mill but taken cap hits of $25 and then $40 mill for a total of $65 mill. Leaves them $25 mill to account for in dead cap. But, there is also a $10 mill roster bonus which isn't guaranteed right now, but becomes guaranteed in March 2025 before year 2 begins. Thus, if he plays year 2, then that $10 mill is also guaranteed, which adds another $10 mill onto the dead cap of $25 mill, making it $35 mill to account for in 2026/2027 years.

Thanks...that helps. I assume the plan is to have a drafted QB in place by then to offset that dead cap (assuming he's released in year 3 or 4).

 

[StreetHawk]

Thanks...that helps. I assume the plan is to have a drafted QB in place by then to offset that dead cap (assuming he's released in year 3 or 4).

Who knows. They don't have to reach at #8, and I don't expect them to. They are currently paying 2 OL and Cousins. Pitts is eligible for a new deal now, but given his lack of use, he can't press the issue before year 4. Little surprised that the Falcons are not taking a larger cap hit with their trio of offensive weapons on their rookie deals in 2024.

Who knows, Cousins, may end up playing year 3, but that has a base salary of $35 mill. So, he would be due $45 mill in real money for 2026. If cut, could Kirk do better than $35 mill at age 38? So, he may take a cut to remain on the roster for 2026 if he's still a solid starter. But, that's for later.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Who knows. They don't have to reach at #8, and I don't expect them to. They are currently paying 2 OL and Cousins. Pitts is eligible for a new deal now, but given his lack of use, he can't press the issue before year 4. Little surprised that the Falcons are not taking a larger cap hit with their trio of offensive weapons on their rookie deals in 2024.

Who knows, Cousins, may end up playing year 3, but that has a base salary of $35 mill. So, he would be due $45 mill in real money for 2026. If cut, could Kirk do better than $35 mill at age 38? So, he may take a cut to remain on the roster for 2026 if he's still a solid starter. But, that's for later.

No...I think the only way they draft a QB this year is in the later rounds. If Dallas Turner is there at 8, I expect them to get him.

 

[StreetHawk]

No...I think the only way they draft a QB this year is in the later rounds. If Dallas Turner is there at 8, I expect them to get him.

Basically, taking another shot like they did on Ridder in 2022 draft on Day 3. Gave him a shot in year 2 to be their starter and he didn't deliver. That was his one true shot at being QB1. He had 50 college starts, so, as much as you can have as a 4 year starter. He could have returned like Nix for a super senior year, but opted for the draft.

ATL will need a cheaper option once they move off Cousins, be it after year 2 or year 3 realisitcally.

 

[Scomerica]

His agent must be the best in the business. He'll have made over $400million in career earnings if he sees out that contract. I think he's a safe pair of hands but he seems to disappear when the prime time lights are on. I don't think he's much better than Geno Smith (and I want the Seahawks to draft a QB) and i'd rather his deal

 

[StreetHawk]

His agent must be the best in the business. He'll have made over $400million in career earnings if he sees out that contract. I think he's a safe pair of hands but he seems to disappear when the prime time lights are on. I don't think he's much better than Geno Smith (and I want the Seahawks to draft a QB) and i'd rather his deal

Power of betting on yourself with the 2 tags. Complete free agent. And got to negotiate a No Tag condition to strengthen his position.

 

[GKJ]

Falcons play in Minnesota this year

 

[Voight]

If he reaches the max
He'll have made $420 million in his career

You can really play the system if you're kind of in the fringe range of QB's

& there's a chance he'll have earned that much while winning a single playoff game.

 

[Unholy Diver]

& there's a chance he'll have earned that much while winning a single playoff game.

And there's a chance he gets another contract, before last year he was very reliable and healthy, he might be able to play til 42 or 43

 

[MMC]

 

[Hall of Faber]

His agent must be the best in the business. He'll have made over $400million in career earnings if he sees out that contract. I think he's a safe pair of hands but he seems to disappear when the prime time lights are on. I don't think he's much better than Geno Smith (and I want the Seahawks to draft a QB) and i'd rather his deal

Who stole the bags the best? Cousins or Bradford?

 

[Big Poppa Puck]

Bradford, cause Cousins actually stays on the field. This year was the first time he ever missed a game due to injury.

 

[Avs_19]

The national media for five years: "Haha the Vikings are so dumb for overpaying a guy they'll never win with."

*they FINALLY decide they're no longer going to overpay a guy they'll never win with*

"Wow. What are the Vikings thinking? How do you let him walk out the door?"

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Who stole the bags the best? Cousins or Bradford?

How are they remotely comparable?

Cousins is by far the better quarterback and had had by far the better career.

Damn does Cousins get underrated.

 

[Hall of Faber]

How are they remotely comparable?

Cousins is by far the better quarterback and had had by far the better career.

Damn does Cousins get underrated.

They’re comparable in being overpaid? Thought that was pretty straightforward

 

[Spring in Fialta]

They’re comparable in being overpaid? Thought that was pretty straightforward

Kirk Cousins might turn out to be overpaid, he just doesn't belong in any conversation with Sam Bradford.

 

[Hall of Faber]

Kirk Cousins might turn out to be overpaid, he just doesn't belong in any conversation with Sam Bradford.

They belong in the same conversation of who extorted more money out of owners.

 

[Avs_19]

Most detailed behind the scenes look at Kirk's free agency that I've seen. Sounds like the Vikings stood pretty firm about being able to get out of any contract after this up coming season and potentially moving on with a replacement. Glad to see it.

 

[TheAngryHank]

Dude made more than Brady

 

[Voight]

They belong in the same conversation of who extorted more money out of owners.

I don't know if they're comparable. Bradford got a mega contract once, and that was as the first overall pick back when there wasn't really a rookie pay cap. At the time it wasn't really seen as undeserved, he was. Heisman winning QB with all the potential in the world.

It was inline with what Stafford got the year prior (Bradford did get more guaranteed $$)

 

[StreetHawk]

Most detailed behind the scenes look at Kirk's free agency that I've seen. Sounds like the Vikings stood pretty firm about being able to get out of any contract after this up coming season and potentially moving on with a replacement. Glad to see it.

$28.5 mill in dead money from Kirk and another large amount from Hunter. Minny needs to use this upcoming season to clean their cap situation. Think they are now up to $57 mill

 

[Avs_19]

$28.5 mill in dead money from Kirk and another large amount from Hunter. Minny needs to use this upcoming season to clean their cap situation. Think they are now up to $57 mill

That was the plan all along. They did the same thing last year when they ate the Kendricks, Thielen, and Cook money. Next year they should have a ton of money available, even after accounting for the JJ extension.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

They’re comparable in being overpaid? Thought that was pretty straightforward

That's a terrible comparison.

 

[TheGooooch]

That's a terrible comparison.

Agreed. These two qbs are on different levels.

 

[StreetHawk]

That was the plan all along. They did the same thing last year when they ate the Kendricks, Thielen, and Cook money. Next year they should have a ton of money available, even after accounting for the JJ extension.

I know people get excited about teams creating cap space, but in reality, they are merely borrowing cap space from future years for the current/upcoming season.

If a player is still good, they just adjust how their money is classified. Only when a player is on a decline would that player be asked to do a paycut. Player then has to decide whether to accept it or take their chances in the open market. Armstead of SF bet on himself and got a contract from Jax. Most of the S that got cut, have not signed yet, so seems like they will be taking less than what their last contract called for in 2024.