Kirk Cousins Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Kirk Cousins’s Net Worth and Salary?

An American professional football player, Kirk Cousins, boasts a net worth of $120 million. Cousins plays for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL. Previously, he was a member of the Washington Redskins from 2012 to 2017, and later played for the Minnesota Vikings from 2018 to 2023. Throughout his time with the Vikings, he received three Pro Bowl selections and ranked third on the Vikings’ all-time passing yards list.

Contracts and $400+ Million Career Earnings

Following an impressive 2015 season, Washington placed a franchise tag on Kirk, maintaining him on the team without allowing him to become a free agent, yet granting him a one-year salary of $22 million. The subsequent season, he was once again franchise-tagged, resulting in a salary increase to $24 million. A third franchise tag would have demanded a 44% salary increase, but the Redskins ultimately allowed Kirk to become a free agent. This marked his decision to place a bet on himself in search of a substantial contract during free agency, rather than settling for a smaller, more secure deal. Throughout his career, he would take this risk multiple times, leading to significant financial success.

Upon joining the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, Cousins inked a groundbreaking fully-guaranteed $84 million contract. Prior to this, he had been contemplating an offer from the New York Jets, which included $60 million in his first season, exclusive of bonuses.

In March 2020, he extended his contract with the Vikings for two years at $66 million, which included a $30 million signing bonus. This arrangement positioned him among the highest-paid NFL players globally, as well as ranking him among the top 30 highest-paid entertainers.

Once more a free agent in 2024, Cousins chose to rely on himself by not finalizing a deal before his free agency began. From his NFL debut in 2012 until March 2024, he accumulated $231 million in NFL salaries alone. On March 11, 2024, Kirk signed a 4-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, including a signing bonus of $50 million and $100 million guaranteed. By the conclusion of this contract, his career earnings are expected to exceed $410 million.

Early Life and High School

Kirk Cousins entered the world on August 19, 1988, in Barrington, Illinois, as the middle child of Maryann and Don. In his teenage years, he attended Holland Christian High School in Michigan, excelling as an athlete in football, baseball, and basketball. During his football career at school, Cousins amassed 3,204 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions.

Collegiate Career

Cousins received a football scholarship to Michigan State University. After redshirting his freshman year in 2007, he served as the backup quarterback to Brian Hoyer in 2008. He became the starting quarterback for the Spartans in 2009, achieving 2,680 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and nine interceptions over 12 games. In 2010, he guided the Spartans to an 11-2 record, tying with the Wisconsin Badgers for the Big Ten Conference title. The following year, he led the Spartans to an 11-3 record and their first-ever Big Ten Football Championship Game, though they lost to the Wisconsin Badgers. Early in 2012, he helped the Spartans win the Outback Bowl against the Georgia Bulldogs.

Washington Redskins

Cousins was selected in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft as the seventh pick by the Washington Redskins. His rookie season saw him participate in only three games, totaling 466 passing yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. The Redskins finished first in the NFC East but were eliminated by the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card Round. In 2013, Cousins achieved 854 passing yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions during five games, but the Redskins did not reach the playoffs. His statistics in the 2014 regular season included 1,710 passing yards, ten touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

In 2015, Cousins had a breakout season, leading the Redskins to their largest comeback win in franchise history, throwing the final touchdown pass in the closing seconds against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to clinch a 31-30 victory. He collected two NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors and one NFC Offensive Player of the Month award that year while leading the league with a completion percentage of 69.8%. The Redskins topped the NFC East but were subsequently knocked out by the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round.

Cousins continued to excel in 2016, achieving a career-best and franchise-high 4,917 passing yards, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. He recorded over 4,000 passing yards for the third consecutive season in 2017, totaling 4,093 yards, alongside 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Additionally, in 2017, he accumulated a personal-best 179 rushing yards on 49 attempts.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings’ 2022 season was highlighted by a remarkable Week 15 game against the Indianapolis Colts, where Cousins led the team in achieving the largest comeback in NFL history, clinching a 39-36 overtime victory. This feat secured the Vikings’ top position in the NFC North. Cousins concluded the regular season with 4,547 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, resulting in his fourth Pro Bowl selection. However, the Vikings were eliminated in the Wild Card Round by the New York Giants. In the subsequent 2023 season, Cousins played but suffered an Achilles injury in a Week 8 game against the Packers, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

Atlanta Falcons

In March 2024, Cousins signed a four-year contract worth $180 million with the Atlanta Falcons.

Personal Life

Kirk Cousins wed Julie Hampton during the summer of 2014. They are parents to two sons, Cooper and Turner. Additionally, Cousins is a practicing evangelical Christian.