Kirk Cousins posts video goodbye message to Minnesota Vikings fans before inking Falcons deal
Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is closing the page of one chapter and beginning another this week as he prepares to sign a mega-deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday. Before he put pen to paper on his new four-year, $180 million contract in Atlanta, the former fourth-round draft pick posted a video message to say goodbye and thank you to Vikings nation.
“So, today’s a bit of a bittersweet day for me,” Cousins said. “I’m in Atlanta now and a little later today I’m going to be signing a contract with the Falcons to officialize the agreement we’ve made. But that also means that I’ve got to say goodbye to Minnesota and the Minnesota Vikings. That’s what makes today tough. I just wanted to put out a video to say thank you.
“Thank you to the tremendous teammates, coaches, support staff, management, and ownership of the Minnesota Vikings for the way they’ve come alongside me and supported me… For six seasons in Minnesota, I had great people around me and I don’t take that for granted.”
“I’d also just like to say thank you to the people of Minnesota, the people of the Twin Cities and the people who we did life with on a daily basis around our great state of Minnesota,” Cousins added. “You’ve meant so much to my family. As a result of your impact, Minnesota will always hold a special place in the hearts of me and of my family, so thank you and God bless.”
Cousins heads into Year 13 with new team
Cousins’ new contract will net him $180 million over four years. It includes $100 million guaranteed and a $50 million signing bonus.
Cousins was in the midst of the eighth game in his sixth season for the Minnesota Vikings before suffering a season-ending torn Achilles injury during the fourth quarter that would put an unfortunate end to his 2023 season. It’s clear the QB holds no ill feelings about how his time with the Vikings came to a close and now he’ll look to bounce back with the Falcons.
Cousins is one of the most experienced quarterbacks across the entire NFL, making 150 starts in his 12-year career. He spent the first half of his career with the Washington Commanders after they selected him with the No. 102 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. But has spent the past six in Minnesota, racking up 39,471 yards and 270 touchdowns in his NFL career.
On3’s Kaiden Smith contributed to this report.