New Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters focused on the trenches on Monday while other NFL teams made some high-profile moves — including the Atlanta Falcons cutting a deal with Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Saquon Barkley headed to Philadelphia and quarterback Russell Wilson joining the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The NFL’s tampering period began at noon Monday, allowing free agents to negotiate with teams, though deals won’t be finalized until the new league year begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Cousins agreed to a four-year deal with the Falcons, his agent Mike McCartney announced on social media. Atlanta had a glaring need at quarterback after cycling through Tyler Heinicke and Desmond Ridder last season, and Cousins’ wife, Julie, grew up in the metro area.
Working his way back from a torn Achilles tendon in his right foot that sidelined him because of an injury for the first time in his career, Cousins had a 103.8 passer rating in eight games for the Vikings last season that was still the third best in the league despite the lost time.
The epitome of a late bloomer, Cousins enjoyed largely the most effective performances of his career since the Vikings hired coach Kevin O’Connell in 2022.
They were going to need a succession plan regardless of how this negotiation played out, though, considering Cousins’ age and their commitment to a “competitive rebuild,” as general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has termed it several times.
The Vikings were serious in their desire to continue with Cousins, but given their cap situation and the recent improvement and outlook around them by their NFC North foes they had to have a limit about how much — and for how long — they could guarantee.
Cousins, for as much as he wanted to finish his career with Minnesota, he also made clear he wanted to be valued with a commitment beyond a token year.
“It’s not about the dollars, but what the dollars represent,” was how Cousins put it in an interview with reporters on Jan. 8.
Cousins has not only been the consummate overachiever on the field, from afterthought college recruit to fourth-round draft pick to currently 24th place on the NFL’s all-time list in career passing yards (39,471), but he has mastered the business side of the game with the guidance of his agent Mike McCartney.
After playing on consecutive franchise tags for Washington in 2016 and 2017, Cousins cashed in as the rare starting quarterback to hit free agency in 2018 when the Vikings had salary cap space and a pressing need at the position after an NFC championship game appearance. He got the first fully guaranteed, multi-year contract in league history for a quarterback when he signed for $84 million.
Just over the past eight seasons, Cousins has earned more than $228 million. He has won only one playoff game, after the 2019 season.
The Vikings restructured Cousins’ deal a year ago without giving him any new money, resulting in a $28.5 million salary cap hit in 2024 for the remaining signing bonus proration if they didn’t reach an extension before the new league year officially starts on Wednesday afternoon.
Here’s a look at other NFL free agency news.
Washington Commanders: The Commanders plan to poach two ex-Dallas Cowboys in free agency — center Tyler Biadasz and pass rusher Dorance Armstrong.
Biadasz and Armstrong follow coach Dan Quinn from Dallas to Washington after spending multiple seasons with the Cowboys.
Biadasz’s three-year contract with Washington will earn him an average of $10 million per year, according to Pro Football Talk. Armstrong’s deal could earn him up to $45 million over three years, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport said.
Biadasz was a fourth-round pick in 2020 and became Dallas’ starting center the next season. He has played in 16 games each of the last two seasons, earning Pro Bowl recognition after the 2022 season. The 26-year-old center joins an offensive line that ranked among the worst in the NFL in 2023, allowing a league-high 65 sacks.
Armstrong primarily played as a situational pass rusher during three seasons in Quinn’s defense. He has recorded 21.5 sacks and started 11 games since 2021.
The 2018 fourth-round pick joins a defensive line that needs new blood, especially on the ends. Washington traded away two edge rushers — Montez Sweat and Chase Young — before the 2023 trade deadline. Despite playing in only eight games with the Commanders, Sweat still led the team in sacks at the end of the season.
With a league-leading $91.5 million in cap space, Peters has the flexibility to be aggressive in free agency to bolster a roster full of holes.
Kansas City Chiefs: Star defensive lineman Chris Jones agreed to a five-year, $158.75 million contract with the Super Bowl champs, keeping the All-Pro tackle in the middle of their line as they chase another title.
Philadelphia Eagles: According to sources, the team has agreed to contracts with former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and former New York Jets defensive end Bryce Huff.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Russell Wilson is heading to Pittsburgh. The nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Steelers, according to reports.
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