Net Worth Ranker
What Is Kirk Daniel Cousins’ Net Worth?
Kirk Daniel Cousins, a prominent American football quarterback, has cultivated a substantial net worth estimated at $160 million as of April 2025. This impressive financial standing is primarily attributed to his lucrative NFL career, characterized by high-value contracts and strategic career decisions.
Contract Details and Career Earnings
Cousins’ financial journey in the NFL began with his selection by Washington in the 2012 NFL draft as the 102nd overall pick. After showcasing his talent and proving his worth, he secured a groundbreaking fully guaranteed contract with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, valued at $84 million. This contract was a pivotal moment, setting a new precedent for player contracts in the league. The full guarantee aspect ensured financial security, irrespective of injuries or performance fluctuations.
Prior to joining the Vikings, Cousins was presented with a substantial offer from the New York Jets, reportedly involving a $60 million payout in the initial season, in addition to potential bonuses. This demonstrates the high demand for his services and the significant financial opportunities he has encountered throughout his career.
In March 2020, Cousins solidified his commitment to the Vikings by signing a two-year contract extension worth $66 million, accompanied by a $30 million signing bonus. This lucrative deal elevated him to the ranks of the highest-paid players in the NFL and placed him among the top 30 highest-paid entertainers globally. The substantial signing bonus provided an immediate financial boost, further enhancing his overall earnings.
Further bolstering his financial portfolio, Cousins inked a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in March 2024. This contract included a $50 million signing bonus and guarantees $100 million, securing his financial future. By the conclusion of this contract, Cousins’ total career earnings are projected to exceed $410 million, underscoring his remarkable financial success in professional football. From his NFL debut in 2012 until March 2024, Kirk Cousins has accumulated $231 million in NFL salary.
Early Career and Contract Negotiations
Cousins’ early career involved navigating franchise tag situations with Washington. After his standout 2015 season, the team utilized the franchise tag, granting him a one-year salary of $22 million. The subsequent season saw the franchise tag applied again, escalating his salary to $24 million. Had Washington opted for a third consecutive franchise tag, his salary would have been mandated to increase by 44%, highlighting the escalating costs associated with retaining a player under the franchise tag. Washington chose not to apply a third franchise tag, allowing Cousins to explore free agency.
Cousins’ decision to enter free agency marked a strategic turning point in his career, prioritizing long-term financial security. This decision underscored his confidence in his abilities and his willingness to bet on himself to secure high-value contracts, a strategy that has consistently paid off throughout his career.
NFL Career Highlights
Cousins was selected as the 102nd pick in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins. During his 2012 rookie season, he played 3 games, recorded 466 passing yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. In 2013, Cousins recorded 854 passing yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions in five games. His 2014 regular-season stats included 1,710 passing yards, ten touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Cousins had his breakout year in 2015 when he helped lead the Redskins to their biggest comeback win in franchise history, throwing the final touchdown pass in the final seconds of a Week 7 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to clinch a 31-30 victory. He won two NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors and one NFC Offensive Player of the Month honor that season, and led the league with a 69.8% completion percentage. Cousins continued his success in 2016, finishing with a career-high and franchise-high 4,917 passing yards and earning his first career Pro Bowl selection. In 2017, Cousins recorded a career-high 179 rushing yards on 49 attempts, as well as his third consecutive season with at least 4,000 passing yards, when he posted 4,093 yards to go along with 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Cousins had a strong first season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, recording 4,298 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. In 2020, Cousins posted 4,265 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. The next season, he recorded 4,221 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, and earned his third career Pro Bowl selection. Cousins finished the 2022 regular season with 4,547 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, and earned his fourth career Pro Bowl selection. In 2023, Cousins played one more season with the Vikings in 2023, but was ruled out of the season following an Achilles injury in a Week 8 game against the Packers.
In December 2024, the Falcons benched Cousins. By the point when he was benched, Kirk had played 14 games and thrown 17 touchdowns for the team.
Early Life and Education
Born on August 19, 1988, in Barrington, Illinois, Kirk Cousins’ formative years were spent in Michigan, where he attended Holland Christian High School. During his high school football career, Cousins demonstrated exceptional talent, accumulating 3,204 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. This early success paved the way for a football scholarship to Michigan State University. At Michigan State University, in 2009, Cousins recorded 2,680 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 12 games. In 2010, he led the Spartans to an 11-2 record and a tie with the Wisconsin Badgers for the Big Ten Conference title. In 2011, Cousins led the Spartans to an 11-3 record and the first-ever Big Ten Football Championship Game.
