The Atlanta Falcons are now serious competitors to sign Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Kirk Cousins, the gifted quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings and four-time Pro Bowler, led the NFL in completion percentage in 2015. The quarterback is eligible to hit the free market, and the Atlanta Falcons are allegedly among the teams expressing a strong interest in acquiring him.
The Vikings team has until March 13th, when the free agency market opens, to reach a new agreement with the quarterback, or they can let him go and he will become an unrestricted free agent.
The following is attributed to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report: “Multiple sources indicate that the #Falcons are a strong candidate to entice QB Kirk Cousins away from Minnesota when free agency officially opens on Monday at 12 ET. The #Vikings are still making an effort to hold onto Cousins, Atlanta’s preferred QB.
“The Vikings are expecting to hear from Kirk Cousins tonight on his decision to explore free agency, sources tell me and @alec_lewis,” writes Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Notably, the team has until Wednesday to renew his deal before his dead cap hit officially becomes a part of the books for “24.”
The Washington Redskins, now known as the Washington Commanders, selected Kirk 102nd overall in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. After playing for the Commanders from 2012 to 2017, he signed a three-year, $84 million contract to play for the Minnesota Vikings. In addition to having a completely guaranteed contract, he went on to rank among the top paid athletes in the world
Cousins went on to win three Pro Bowls with the Vikings team and finished with 23,265 yards and 171 touchdowns, according to CBS Sports. There were only fifty-five of his interceptions. The quarterback was rising to prominence the previous season, but sadly, an Achilles injury ended his campaign.