Kirk Cousins is an American football quarterback born in Barrington, Illinois, on August 19, 1988. This Kirk Cousins biography highlights his progression from a high‑school standout to a multi‑team NFL starter and notes his record‑setting contracts and philanthropic work.
Demographic Data and Core Attributes of Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins attended Holland Christian High School in Michigan, where Kirk Cousins excelled in football, baseball, and basketball. Kirk Cousins recorded 3,204 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions during the high‑school football career. Kirk Cousins earned a football scholarship to Michigan State University and redshirted in 2007 before becoming the starting quarterback in 2009.
Kirk Cousins led the Spartans to an 11‑2 record and a shared Big Ten title in 2010 and to the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game in 2011. Kirk Cousins is an evangelical Christian and married Julie Hampton in the summer of 2014; the couple has two sons, Cooper and Turner.
Professional Career and American Football Player History of Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins entered the NFL after being selected seventh overall by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Kirk Cousins played three games in the rookie season, posting 466 passing yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. Kirk Cousins improved to 854 passing yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions in five games during the 2013 season.
Kirk Cousins posted 1,710 passing yards, ten touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 2014.
Kirk Cousins had a breakout 2015 season, delivering the final touchdown in a 31‑30 comeback win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and leading the league with a 69.8 % completion percentage. Kirk Cousins earned two NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors and one NFC Offensive Player of the Month award in 2015. Kirk Cousins helped the Redskins finish atop the NFC East before a Wild Card loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Kirk Cousins set a franchise record with 4,917 passing yards in 2016 and earned the first Pro Bowl selection. Kirk Cousins posted 4,093 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 2017, adding a career‑high 179 rushing yards on 49 attempts.
Kirk Cousins signed a fully guaranteed three‑year, $84 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, the first of its kind in NFL history. Kirk Cousins recorded 4,298 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in the first Vikings season, though the team missed the playoffs. Kirk Cousins earned a second Pro Bowl selection in 2019 as the Vikings reached the Divisional Round.
Kirk Cousins posted 4,265 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 2020, and 4,221 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 2021, each season resulting in a Pro Bowl nod.
Kirk Cousins contributed to the Vikings’ largest comeback in NFL history with a 39‑36 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15 of the 2022 season, leading the team to an NFC North title. Kirk Cousins finished the 2022 regular season with 4,547 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions before a Wild Card loss to the New York Giants.
Kirk Cousins suffered an Achilles injury in Week 8 of the 2023 season, ending the campaign.
Kirk Cousins signed a four‑year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in March 2024, including a $50 million signing bonus and $100 million guaranteed. Kirk Cousins threw 17 touchdowns in 14 games before being benched in December 2024, after which the Falcons considered releasing Kirk Cousins while still owing $90 million.
Kirk Cousins joined the Las Vegas Raiders in 2026 under a creatively structured agreement that pays $20 million for the 2026 season, with the majority of earnings offset by the Falcons contract and a fully guaranteed $10 million roster bonus in 2027. Kirk Cousins’ total on‑field earnings have surpassed $320 million and are projected to exceed $410 million, ranking among the highest‑paid players in NFL history.
Family, Brand, and Organization Connections of Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins’ family connections include parents Maryann and Don Cousins, who raised Kirk Cousins as the middle child of three. Kirk Cousins’ marriage to Julie Hampton in 2014 created the Julie and Kirk Cousins Foundation, which focuses on philanthropic initiatives.
Awards, Rankings, and Achievements of Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins has earned four Pro Bowl selections (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022). Kirk Cousins ranks sixth all‑time in completion percentage among quarterbacks with at least 1,500 attempts and eleventh in career regular‑season passer rating. Kirk Cousins passed the 40,000‑yard career mark in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kirk Cousins
What college did Kirk Cousins attend?
Kirk Cousins attended Michigan State University on a football scholarship, where Kirk Cousins became the starting quarterback in 2009.
Which NFL team drafted Kirk Cousins?
Kirk Cousins was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, seventh overall.
How many Pro Bowl selections has Kirk Cousins earned?
Kirk Cousins has earned four Pro Bowl selections (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022).
When did Kirk Cousins sign with the Atlanta Falcons?
Kirk Cousins signed a four‑year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in March 2024.
How old is Kirk Cousins?
Kirk Cousins is 38 years old.