History of Kirk Cousins in Timeline

Kirk Cousins is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL. Drafted by the Washington Redskins in 2012 after playing college football for Michigan State, Cousins is recognized for his accuracy and efficiency as a passer. He holds a high career completion percentage, ranking sixth all-time, and boasts a notable passer rating, positioning him 11th in NFL history for regular season performance.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1945: League-Leading Completion Percentage

In 2015, Kirk Cousins posted a league-leading completion percentage of 69.8%, second in team history behind Sammy Baugh who completed 70.3% of his passes in 1945.

1950: Perfect Passer Rating

On November 15, 2015 against the New Orleans Saints, Kirk Cousins posted a perfect passer rating of 158.3, making him the first Redskins quarterback since 1950 to do that with at least 20 attempts.

1967: Passing Touchdowns

In 2015, Kirk Cousins finished the season with 29 passing touchdowns, second in Redskins history behind Jurgensen who had 31 in 1967.

1970: At Least Four Passing Touchdowns

In 2015, Kirk Cousins became the first Redskins quarterback since Sonny Jurgensen in 1970 to have at least four passing touchdowns in three or more games in one season.

1986: Redskins Single-Season Passing Yardage

On January 3, 2016, Kirk Cousins set the Redskins single-season passing yardage record with 4,166, passing Jay Schroeder who had 4,109 in 1986.

August 19, 1988: Kirk Cousins Born

On August 19, 1988, Kirk Daniel Cousins was born. He later became a professional football quarterback.

Others born on this day/year

1994: Redskins Draft Strategy

In 1994, the Redskins drafted Heath Shuler with the third overall pick and later drafted Gus Frerotte in the seventh round, echoing the team's 2012 strategy.

2007: Commitment to Michigan State

In 2007, Kirk Cousins accepted a scholarship offer from Michigan State after Mark Dantonio became the head coach and failed to sign his top quarterback targets.

2007: Redshirted for the 2007 Season

In 2007, Kirk Cousins redshirted for the football season at Michigan State.

2007: Tying Completion Record

On October 25, 2015, Kirk Cousins helped lead the Redskins to their largest comeback win in franchise history. Cousins also tied a franchise record for completions in a game with 33, tying Jason Campbell who did the same in 2007.

2008: Backup Quarterback

In 2008, Kirk Cousins served as the backup quarterback to Brian Hoyer, playing in five games.

2009: Starting Quarterback

In 2009, Kirk Cousins won the starting quarterback job at Michigan State, leading the team to a 6-7 season.

2010: Big Ten Conference Championship

In 2010, Kirk Cousins led Michigan State to an 11-2 record and a share of the Big Ten Conference Championship.

2011: Big Ten Football Championship Game

In 2011, the Spartans, led by Kirk Cousins, played in the first-ever Big Ten Football Championship Game. Cousins led the Big Ten in pass completions, attempts and passing yards.

2011: Redskins Drafted Robert Griffin III

In 2011, the Washington Redskins drafted Robert Griffin III, making Cousins viewed as an insurance policy.

January 2, 2012: Outback Bowl Victory

On January 2, 2012, Kirk Cousins played his final game as a Michigan State Spartan, defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in the Outback Bowl. He also won the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in 2011.

May 31, 2012: Signed Redskins Contract

On May 31, 2012, Kirk Cousins signed a four-year contract with the Washington Redskins.

December 15, 2012: First NFL Start

On December 15, 2012, Kirk Cousins started his first NFL game against the Cleveland Browns, leading the Redskins to a 38-21 victory and earning Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week.

2012: Drafted by Washington Redskins

In 2012, Kirk Cousins was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the NFL draft.

2012: NFC East Division Title

In 2015, after a victory against the Eagles, Kirk Cousins helped the Washington Redskins win the NFC East division title for the first time since Griffin III did it in 2012.

2012: Game-Winning Drive

In 2015, on October 4th, Kirk Cousins led a 90-yard game-winning drive against the Eagles, his first since 2012, with a touchdown pass to Pierre Garçon.

December 11, 2013: Named Starting Quarterback

On December 11, 2013, Kirk Cousins was named the starting quarterback for the rest of the year after Robert Griffin III was deactivated.

February 2, 2014: Open to a Trade

On February 2, 2014, it was reported that Kirk Cousins stated that he was open to a trade from the Redskins.

August 31, 2015: Named Season Starter

On August 31, 2015, Kirk Cousins was named the starting quarterback for the season over Robert Griffin III.

2015: Replacing Griffin and Leading Redskins to Division Title

In 2015, Kirk Cousins replaced an injured Robert Griffin III and led the Washington Redskins to a division title.

2015: NFC Offensive Player of the Month for December

In 2015, Kirk Cousins was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for December and posted the highest completion percentage (74.7) in home games in NFL history.

January 3, 2016: Sets Redskins Passing Yardage Record

On January 3, 2016, Kirk Cousins set the Redskins single-season passing yardage record with 4,166 yards, passing Jay Schroeder who had 4,109 in 1986.

January 10, 2016: Wild Card Round

On January 10, 2016, in the Wild Card Round against the Green Bay Packers, Kirk Cousins completed 29-of-46 passes for 329 yards and scored two touchdowns. He was named the PFWA Most Improved Player.

March 1, 2016: Franchise Tag

On March 1, 2016, the Redskins used the non-exclusive franchise tag on Kirk Cousins, acting as a one-year, $20 million contract.

2016: Career-High Passing Yards

In 2016, Kirk Cousins led the team to a winning record of 8-7-1 and finished the season with a career-high 4,917 passing yards, which was third in the NFL.

February 28, 2017: Exclusive Franchise Tag

On February 28, 2017, Kirk Cousins and the Redskins agreed to the exclusive franchise tag, making him the first quarterback in NFL history to be franchise-tagged in consecutive years.

2017: Named to Pro Bowl

Due to his performance in the 2016 season, Kirk Cousins was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2017, replacing Matt Ryan.

2017: Fourth NFC Offensive Player of the Week Award

In 2017 during Week 3, Kirk Cousins earned his fourth NFC Offensive Player of the Week award of his career after a victory over the Oakland Raiders.

2017: Third Consecutive Season of Passing for at Least 4,000 Yards

The 2017 season marked Kirk Cousins' third consecutive season of passing for at least 4,000 yards.

March 15, 2018: Signed with the Vikings

On March 15, 2018, Kirk Cousins signed with the Vikings on a fully guaranteed three-year contract worth $84 million, which was the highest paying contract in NFL history as of signing.