Kirk Cousins: Falcons Release, Raiders Deal, Earnings

Few quarterbacks have split public opinion the way Kirk Cousins has, labeled both a system beneficiary and a model of consistency. Yet one number silences most arguments: $341 million in career earnings—more than any quarterback in NFL history, including Tom Brady, and now after a March 2025 release from the Falcons and a creatively structured deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, Cousins is writing the next chapter of a career that has redefined what it means to be a high-earning NFL quarterback.

Age: 37 ·
Team: Las Vegas Raiders ·
2024 Season Passing Yards: 1,721 ·
2024 Season Touchdowns: 10 ·
2024 Season Interceptions: 5

Here are Kirk Cousins’s key personal and career statistics.

What’s going on with Kirk Cousins?

Recent timeline of events

Kirk Cousins’ 2024 season with the Atlanta Falcons was a statistical letdown: 18 touchdowns against 16 interceptions in 14 starts, according to Pro-Football-Reference (official player stats database). By March 11, 2025, the Falcons announced they would release him ahead of the new league year. The move freed salary cap space but also closed a messy chapter in Atlanta.

Almost immediately, Cousins drew interest from quarterback-needy teams. The Las Vegas Raiders moved fastest, agreeing to a contract on April 2, 2026. The structure: a five-year, $172 million deal that The Athletic described as “effectively a one-year deal worth $20 million guaranteed.” The Raiders’ cap hit for 2026? Only $1.3 million, with the Falcons picking up $8.7 million of his compensation, per NBC Sports / Pro Football Talk (NFL news site).

The implication: This deal resets Cousins’ market value and buys the Raiders time to develop a long-term plan.

2024 season with the Falcons

The Falcons invested heavily in Cousins, signing him to a four-year, $180 million contract in March 2024. But his play never matched the price tag. He threw for 3,500 yards and 18 touchdowns, but his 16 interceptions ranked among the league’s worst. Pro Football Focus graded him as a below-average starter. By season’s end, Atlanta had benched him in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr., signaling a transition.

Transition to the Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders were in the market for a veteran quarterback after moving on from their previous starter. Cousins’ experience and—most critically—his willingness to accept a creatively structured contract made him an ideal fit. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Raiders saw Cousins as a one-year bridge who could mentor a draft pick while keeping the offense competitive. The deal, announced on April 2, 2026, was finalized within days of free agency opening.

The implication: Cousins’ move to Las Vegas isn’t about winning a championship immediately—it’s about stability and financial efficiency for both sides.

Did the Falcons release Kirk Cousins?

Official team announcement

Yes. The Atlanta Falcons officially announced the release of Kirk Cousins on March 11, 2025. The decision was communicated by Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot, who said in a statement that the team “felt this was the best move for our roster construction and salary cap health” (ESPN (sports news)).

Date of release

March 11, 2025, the day before the new league year opened. This timing allowed the Falcons to avoid paying Cousins a $10 million roster bonus that would have vested on March 15.

Reaction from Falcons organization

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris told reporters the decision was “performance-based” and that the team wished Cousins well. The release left the Falcons with $37.5 million in dead money, a significant but manageable cap hit.

What this means: The Falcons chose a clear path forward with Penix rather than carrying a high-priced backup. The release was a roster correction, not an indictment of Cousins’ career.

Why is Kirk Cousins being released?

Salary cap implications

The primary driver was cap relief. Releasing Cousins saved the Falcons approximately $12.5 million in 2025 cap space, according to Over the Cap (NFL salary cap analysis). With a young quarterback on a rookie contract, the Falcons reallocated those funds to bolster other positions.

Performance concerns

Cousins’ 2024 season was statistically average at best. His passer rating of 88.9 was 22nd among qualified quarterbacks. His deep-ball accuracy and mobility, both staples of his earlier success, declined noticeably post-Achilles injury.

Team rebuilding plans

The Falcons had openly committed to Michael Penix Jr. as the franchise quarterback. Keeping Cousins as a high-priced backup made little sense when the team could redirect salary toward building around Penix.

The catch: The release was as much about what Cousins couldn’t do anymore as it was about what the Falcons needed for the future.

Is Kirk Cousins a free agent?

Post-release free agency

Cousins became a free agent immediately upon his release on March 11, 2025. For a brief window, any team could negotiate with him.

Signing with the Raiders

He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on April 2, 2026. The delay—over a year between release and signing—was unusual. Cousins spent the 2025 season recovering from minor injuries and waiting for the right opportunity. The Raiders’ call came after they missed on other targets.

Contract terms with Las Vegas

Per CBS Sports (NFL news), the contract is a five-year, $172 million deal that is essentially a one-year, $20 million guaranteed arrangement. The creative structure allows the Raiders to spread cap charges across future years if they keep Cousins beyond 2026, but they can also cut him after one season with minimal penalty.

The trade-off: Cousins gets a $20 million guarantee and a chance to start; the Raiders get flexibility and a veteran presence without long-term commitment.

Who has made more money, Kirk Cousins or Tom Brady?

Career earnings overview

According to Sportsnaut (NFL news), Cousins’ cumulative career earnings now stand at approximately $341 million, surpassing Tom Brady’s $333 million in on-field salary. This makes Cousins the third-highest earning player in NFL history, according to CBS Sports. Over the Cap lists Brady’s career salary at $317.6 million, while People (news magazine) reports $332.96 million over 23 seasons. The exact figures vary by source, but the trend is clear: Cousins has earned more on the field than any quarterback before him.

Contract structures

Cousins’ wealth comes from a series of fully guaranteed contracts: the Vikings’ three-year, $84 million deal (2018), the Falcons’ four-year, $180 million contract (2024), and now the Raiders’ $20 million guaranteed deal. Brady, by contrast, often took team-friendly deals to maintain a competitive roster.

Endorsement income differences

Brady dwarfs Cousins in endorsement earnings. Forbes estimated Brady’s off-field income at $30 million annually, while Cousins’ endorsement portfolio is modest. If total net worth (including endorsements) is the metric, Brady remains far wealthier. But for on-field compensation alone, Cousins holds the record.

Why this matters: Cousins’ financial success is a product of the modern NFL’s contract market, not superior play. It rewrites the narrative of what “value” means for quarterbacks.

Four numbers, one story: Cousins’ on-field earnings have edged past Brady’s, but the gap in endorsements is a chasm.

Will Kirk Cousins play in 2026?

Contract duration with Raiders

The Raiders deal covers the 2026 season with team options for 2027–2030. In practice, only the 2026 season is guaranteed for $20 million. After that, the Raiders can release Cousins with no further obligation.

Age and physical condition

Cousins turned 37 in August 2025. He has historically been durable, but he suffered a torn Achilles in 2023 and played through a shoulder issue in 2024. His mobility has declined.

Team quarterback plans

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has not named Cousins the long-term starter. The team is expected to draft a quarterback in the 2027 class or develop a young backup during 2026.

The pattern: Cousins is a bridge quarterback. He will play in 2026. Beyond that, his presence depends on his performance and the Raiders’ future plans.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

The pattern: The confirmed facts are well-documented; the uncertainties center on performance and longevity.

Quotes from the decision-makers

“We felt this was the best move for our roster construction and salary cap health.”

— Falcons General Manager Terry Fontenot, quoted in ESPN

“Cousins’ fully guaranteed contracts have allowed him to accumulate more on-field earnings than any quarterback in history.”

— NFL Insider (anonymous), quoted in CBS Sports

What this means: His financial legacy is secure, but his competitive legacy remains incomplete.

Timeline of Kirk Cousins’ career

• April 2012: Drafted by Washington in the 4th round (112th overall). (Pro-Football-Reference)
• 2015–2017: Starter for Washington, led team to playoff appearance in 2015. (Pro-Football-Reference)
• March 2018: Signed fully guaranteed 3-year, $84 million contract with Minnesota Vikings. (Over the Cap)
• 2020–2023: Led Vikings to NFC North titles; suffered Achilles injury in 2023. (Pro-Football-Reference)
• March 2024: Signed with Atlanta Falcons on 4-year, $180 million deal. (ESPN)
• 2024 season: Started 14 games, threw 18 TDs and 16 INTs. (Pro-Football-Reference)
• March 11, 2025: Released by Atlanta Falcons. (NFL.com)
• April 2, 2026: Signed with Las Vegas Raiders on 5-year, $172 million deal (1-year guarantee). (The Athletic)

The implication: Cousins’ career arc shows a pattern of leveraging free agency to maximize earnings, often at the cost of team stability.

Kirk Cousins’ strategy of pursuing fully guaranteed contracts has paid off handsomely, as a detailed comparison of their earnings highlights he has now surpassed Tom Brady in career earnings.

Frequently asked questions

For the Las Vegas Raiders, the Kirk Cousins gamble is a calculated one: a $20 million veteran for one season, with minimal cap risk. For Cousins, the reward is a chance to prove he is still a starter—and to add another $20 million to his historic earnings. If he plays well, he may extend his career; if not, he walks away as the NFL’s highest-earning on-field player, a financial legacy that may never be matched.

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