Report: Falcons' Free Agent Target Kirk Cousins Looking For Two-Year Deal

Could Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins wind up in an Atlanta Falcons jersey?

For the Atlanta Falcons, the biggest personnel decision of the entire offseason lies in what they do at the quarterback position.

The Falcons have talent on both sides of the ball, but subpar quarterback play cost them on numerous occasions this season. Desmond Ridder underwhelmed as a starter, while Taylor Heinicke wasn't much better in his stead. 

Whether it's through free agency or the draft, it's all but assured that the Falcons will have a new quarterback next season. If they decide to go down the former route, then the top prize is undoubtedly Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. However, it will cost a pretty penny to get him as Cousins reportedly wants to become one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league, according to Charley Walters of The Pioneer Press.

Nov 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium / Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

"The buzz now is that it will take $90 million guaranteed for two years, despite that he’s still not yet fully recovered from Achilles surgery in November, to sign free agent QB Kirk Cousins," Walters wrote. "If that’s the case, he certainly won’t get that from the Vikings."

Before his Achilles injury in the middle of the season, the 35-year-old Cousins was on pace for what may have been his best season in Minnesota. In just eight games, he completed 69.5 percent of his passes for 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns with only five interceptions.

That said, an Achilles injury at 35 years old is going to scare off some teams, even though Cousins was playing at a very high level beforehand.

Cousins and the Falcons have been linked previously, but rumors started taking off once Atlanta's courtship of Bill Belichick appeared to heat off. Earlier in the month, Cousins even said he "wouldn't turn down an opportunity" to play or the future Hall of Fame coach.

NFL Rumors: Kirk Cousins, Bill Belichick to Falcons?

Now that the Falcons passed on Belichick, instead opting to go with Raheem Morris, could Cousins still be in play? Possibly so, as they have a solid set of weapons, a promising new offensive coordinator in Zac Robinson and could create enough cap space to get him.