FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Four months ago, the Atlanta Falcons gave quarterback Kirk Cousins a pricy four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed.
On Friday, a pair of NFL signal callers received four-year contracts, with the Miami Dolphins extending Tua Tagovailoa and the Green Bay Packers locking up Jordan Love.Hours later, Love signed a four-year, $220 million deal with $155 million guaranteed and a record $75 million signing bonus, per. With an average annual pay of $55 million, Love is tied with Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Cincinnati Bengals passer Joe Burrow as the highest-paid player in the NFL.
Now, Cousins is tied with Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes for the 11th-highest average annual pay at $45 million per year, according toThere is, of course, a reason for the discrepancy in pay. Cousins turns 36 in August and is nine months from tearing his right Achilles. A return to prior form -- and how long he's able to sustain it -- is not guaranteed.
But not lost in the shuffle is that Cousins was playing at a high level -- perhaps the highest of his career -- before his Achilles injury. In eight games, he completed 69.5 percent of his passes for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. New Falcons head coach Raheem Morris called Cousins a multiplier earlier this offseason, believing he not only directly improves quarterback play but elevates those around him.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Watch: Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr. Stout at Atlanta Falcons Training CampFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Attention has followed Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr., and in Friday's training camp practice at IBM Per
Read more »
Kirk Cousins rocked Steve Smith's NBA Jersey at Atlanta Falcons' training campFormer Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins wore a Steve Smith Atlanta Hawks jersey to training camp on Wednesday.
Read more »
Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins Wants to Play Preseason, Coach Morris Says NoAtlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is healthy for training camp, but won't play in the preseason.
Read more »
How Kirk Cousins Helps Atlanta Falcons' Defense: 'He's One of the Top QBs'Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has held valuable film sessions with safety Jessie Bates III.
Read more »
Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins Ranked Above Jets' Aaron Rodgers in NFL Top 100 ListAtlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom joined Kirk Cousins on the NFL's initial reveal.
Read more »
Report: Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins Wanted to End Career with Minnesota VikingsAfter six years with the Minnesota Vikings, Kirk Cousins left for the Atlanta Falcons - a move he perhaps made begrudgingly.
Read more »