How Kirk Cousins' contract affects Falcons, Vikings, Bears - ESPN

ATLANTA — Quarterback Kirk Cousins hasn't won many playoff games in his career (1-3), but he's done well in landing lucrative deals.

Cousins' latest is a four-year, $180 million contract — including $100 million guaranteed — with the Atlanta Falcons, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. After making over $230 million during his time with the Minnesota Vikings (2018-23) and Washington (2012-17), he will top $400 million if he plays all four years in Atlanta.

It didn't take the Falcons long to address a QB situation that has been in flux since they traded Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts in March 2022. Neither Desmond Ridder nor Taylor Heinicke proved to be the answer for a team that fought for a playoff berth until the final week last season.

Atlanta fired head coach Arthur Smith and offensive coordinator Dave Ragone after finishing 7-10 for the third straight season, hiring Raheem Morris as head coach and Zac Robinson as offensive coordinator.

How will Cousins fit in the offense? What will the Vikings do at quarterback? And how does this — as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers landing Russell Wilson — affect the market for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, who is expected to be moved to pave the way for the Bears to draft USC's Caleb Williams.

Falcons reporter Michael Rothstein, Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert and Bears reporter Courtney Cronin answer the most important questions.

Rothstein: It might be difficult to measure the true impact until August or September, because Cousins is coming off a right Achilles injury, but he immediately becomes the Falcons' best option at the position since Ryan was traded.

Cousins is a four-time Pro Bowler with a career completion percentage of 66.9. Atlanta's 2022 first-round