Carving out a successful career in the NFL requires a unique blend of talent, opportunity, and luck, particularly for quarterbacks. Notably, the top 16 highest earners in NFL history have all played the quarterback position, showcasing the financial rewards that come with success in this critical role. Among the elite, however, one name stands out for its disparity between earnings and postseason accomplishments: Kirk Cousins.
High Earnings Amidst Limited Postseason Success
Kirk Cousins has amassed nearly $322 million in career earnings, making him the fourth-highest earner in NFL history. Interestingly, he may soon surpass Tom Brady, who currently holds the third position. Yet, despite his impressive financial achievements, Cousins’s postseason track record is less remarkable, as he has secured just one playoff victory in his career.
The Elite Quarterback Earnings Breakdown
A closer look at the top five earners reveals the stark contrast in postseason success among this elite group:
- Matthew Stafford, $408.3 million: 1 Super Bowl appearance, 1 Super Bowl win, 1 MVP, 3 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro, 7 playoff wins
- Aaron Rodgers, $394.8 million: 1 Super Bowl appearance, 1 Super Bowl win, 4 MVPs, 10 Pro Bowls, 5 All-Pros, 11 playoff wins
- Tom Brady, $333 million: 10 Super Bowl appearances, 7 Super Bowl wins, 3 MVPs, 15 Pro Bowls, 6 All-Pros, 35 playoff wins
- Kirk Cousins, $321.7 million: 4 Pro Bowls, 1 playoff win
- Russell Wilson, $316.9 million: 2 Super Bowl appearances, 1 Super Bowl win, 10 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro, 9 playoff wins
While Tom Brady’s astonishing achievement of 35 playoff wins skews the statistics, the fact remains that Cousins’s teams have only reached the playoffs four times throughout his 14 seasons across Washington, Atlanta, and Minnesota. His sole victory came in a 2019 NFC Wild Card match, where the Vikings upset the New Orleans Saints.
Cousins’s Career Overview and Negotiation Skills
Despite putting up solid career stats—44,700 passing yards, a completion percentage of 66.7%, 298 touchdowns, and 131 interceptions—Cousins’s teams have struggled to find success. Factors beyond his control contributed to this situation, including limited expectations during some of his years in Washington and a challenging environment in Atlanta, which drafted a quarterback shortly after his signing.
Cousins has showcased remarkable negotiation prowess in his contracts. After moving from Washington to Minnesota, he signed a fully guaranteed three-year contract worth $84 million, followed by a two-year extension worth $66 million and a one-year extension valued at $35 million. This approach enabled him to maintain a higher annual salary.
In a twist of fate, Cousins suffered a torn Achilles during the 2023 season, leading the Vikings to decide against re-signing him. Nevertheless, he successfully leveraged his past performances and recovery prospects to garner interest from other teams. The Atlanta Falcons, in need of a quarterback following Matt Ryan’s departure, offered him a notable four-year contract worth $180 million, with $100 million guaranteed.
While Cousins may not have achieved the postseason success he envisioned with Atlanta, his financial achievements underscore a unique skill set—the ability to profit immensely in a highly competitive environment.
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