Ultimately, Kirk Cousins’ free agency decision came down to the Falcons’ willingness to offer more than the Vikings. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, was in negotiations with both teams, using offers from each side to leverage a better deal. When it became apparent that the Falcons were willing to go further in terms of contractual terms, it marked the turning point.
Terry Fontenot, Raheem Morris, and Arthur Blank were determined to acquire Kirk Cousins and offered a deal that fully guaranteed his salaries for 2024 and 2025, ensuring his role as a starter in Atlanta during those years. Additionally, Fontenot and the Falcons guaranteed $10 million of the 2026 salary and presented an average annual value exceeding $40 million, something the Vikings were unlikely to match.
In the end, the Falcons’ offer surpassed the Vikings’ in terms of annual value and guarantees, demonstrating their strong desire to secure Kirk Cousins. Cousins, in turn, wanted to feel valued, and the monetary aspect was the clearest indicator of that. However, the new Falcons quarterback also emphasized a different perspective, explaining to Erinie Johnson and Charles Barkley that the alignment between Arthur Blank, Terry Fontenot, Raheem Morris, and himself gave them a better chance of winning a Super Bowl compared to his previous team in Minnesota.
