Kirk Cousins to surpass contract earnings of NFL’s GOAT QB after Raiders deal
Dec 13, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) greet after the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn ImagesKirk Cousins has a new home.
And will soon surpass one of his new bosses in NFL career earnings.
The veteran quarterback agreed to terms on a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, a five-year, $172-million contract. Under the terms of the deal, the contract is in reality a one-year, fully-guaranteed deal for $20 million, that contains a team option for two years at $80 million.
Not only does that contract extend Cousins' mark of guaranteed contracts - this season will be the 11th fully-guaranteed year over his NFL career - but this year's deal means he will pass Tom Brady's career earnings.
Brady is a minority owner of the Raiders.
This will mark the 11th straight NFL season in which Kirk Cousins' contract will be fully guaranteed.
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2026
A first-ballot business Hall of Famer. https://t.co/D84S9INgFN
When accounting for the $20M fully guaranteed money Kirk Cousins will now make, he will soon pass Tom Brady for the second-most money made by a player in NFL history.
- Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 2, 2026
The man is a first ballot Hall of Famer in the business of the NFL https://t.co/eNdja9b5yf
The deal is also a massive jump over what Cousins was set to make this season had he stayed with the Atlanta Falcons:
The Raiders are largely expected to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first-overall selection later this month, meaning Cousins may serve as a bridge to the team's expected quarterback of the future. But new head coach Klint Kubiak indicated on Tuesday that he might prefer to start the season with a veteran option under center.
One that might be a first ballot Hall of Famer, at least when it comes to making deals.