ATLANTA — For six years, he rode the ups and downs that come with being the man at the controls of Minnesota's most popular - and most tortured - sports franchise.
Kirk Cousins both survived and thrived as quarterback of the Vikings, piling up stats, wins, and admirers for his quirky boy-next-door persona.
That chapter is now closed after Cousins took advantage of his free agent status, jumping from the Vikings ship to sign a reported four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons. Before officially putting his signature on the contract Wednesday, Cousins posted a short video from his wife's hometown of Atlanta thanking his former teammates, coaches, owners and residents of the state that took him in.
"A quarterback really doesn't have a chance without great people around him, and for six seasons in Minnesota, I had great people around me. And I don't take that for granted," Cousins said in the video posted on X (Twitter). "It was a privilege to quarterback the Minnesota Vikings and a privilege that brought much responsibility. And so I wanted to be accountable to all those people who work for the Vikings and put in the work needed to deliver for them."
The outgoing QB then turned his attention to the people of Minnesota, whom the Cousins family - Kirk, his wife Julie, and sons Tanner and Cooper - "did life with."
"I just wanted to thank you," Cousins said. "You meant so much to me and my family and as a result of your impact, Minnesota will always hold a special place in the heart of me, and of my family."
Cousins will embark on his adventure with the Falcons coming off a season-ending injury to his Achilles. At 35 years old there are questions about his recovery and long-term durability.
Of the $180 million called for in his new contract, $100 million are guaranteed.
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