FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Falcons officially have a new quarterback in The A.
The reported pairing of four-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons in free agency became official Wednesday evening after the NFL's new league year opened at 4 p.m.
Cousins was spotted arriving at the Falcons headquarters in Flowery Branch just after 4 p.m. on Wednesday, where he presumably went through a series of steps -- like completing a physical -- before he officially signed his contract.
The terms of Cousins' contract were reported to be a four-year deal worth $180 million, which includes a $50 million signing bonus. The deal comes with $100 million in the contract guaranteed money -- $90 million in 2024 and 2025 and another $10 million in 2026 -- per NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. He is set to earn an average annual value of $45 million for the lifetime of his contract.
Cousins spent the last six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings after spending the first six years of his career in Washington. He was drafted in the fourth-round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
He threw for a career-high 35 touchdowns in 2020. Cousins has eclipsed the 4,000 passing yard mark seven times in his career (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022).
He was elected to the Pro Bowl in 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2022.
Cousins tore his Achilles on Oct. 29 in a win against the Green Bay Packers. Despite the injury, Cousins is on track for a full recovery and is expected to be ready for the Falcons' season opener, according to a report by Sports Illustrated.
Falcons fans believe Cousins will fill in the missing piece of the puzzle for Atlanta -- a team that has felt an absence at the quarterback position since longtime franchise staple Matt Ryan was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2022.
The Falcons have received subpar quarterback play from the likes of Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke over the past two seasons.
Cousins will now be paired with dynamic weapons such as running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts and new free agent signee wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who agreed to terms with Atlanta on a three-year, $39 million deal on Tuesday.
Cousins is expected to be introduced on Wednesday evening.