History of Kirk Cousins in Timeline

Kirk Cousins is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL. He played college football at Michigan State before being drafted by the Washington Redskins in 2012. Statistically, Cousins ranks among the NFL's all-time leaders in completion percentage and passer rating.

Sections (4)

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

1945: Completion Percentage

In 1945, Sammy Baugh completed 70.3% of his passes. Kirk Cousins' completion percentage of 69.8% in 2015 was second in team history.

1950: Perfect passer rating

Kirk Cousins on November 15 was the first Redskins quarterback since 1950 to have a perfect passer rating of 158.3 with at least 20 attempts.

1960: Tied NFL record

In 2022, Cousins tied the NFL record (since 1960) for a single season with Matthew Stafford's 2016 season with eight game-winning drives.

1967: Passing Touchdowns

In 1967, Sonny Jurgensen had 31 passing touchdowns. Kirk Cousins had 29 passing touchdowns in 2015, second in Redskins history.

1970: 4 passing touchdowns in 3+ games

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

1979: Tommy Kramer's record

In 2022, Cousins broke Tommy Kramer's team record of 16 consecutive completions, which Tommy Kramer set during the 1979 season.

1986: Passing yards record

In 1986, Jay Schroeder had 4,109 passing yards. Kirk Cousins surpassed this amount in 2015.

August 19, 1988: Kirk Cousins Born

On August 19, 1988, Kirk Daniel Cousins was born. He is an American professional football quarterback.

Others born on this day/year

1994: Redskins drafted Shuler and Frerotte

In 1994, the Washington Redskins drafted Heath Shuler and Gus Frerotte which echoed the team's strategy when they drafted Griffin and Cousins in the same draft.

2007: Redshirted at Michigan State

During the 2007 season, Kirk Cousins redshirted at Michigan State.

2007: Completions in a game

In 2007, Jason Campbell tied a franchise record for completions in a game with 33, Kirk Cousins tied this record on October 25.

2007: Dantonio became head coach at Michigan State

In 2007, Mark Dantonio became the head coach at Michigan State. After Dantonio failed to sign his top targets at quarterback, he offered a scholarship to Cousins, which he accepted.

2008: Backup Quarterback

In 2008, Kirk Cousins was the backup quarterback to Brian Hoyer at Michigan State, playing in five games.

2009: Starting Quarterback at Michigan State

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: Played in Big Ten Championship Game

In 2011, Kirk Cousins led the Spartans to the first-ever Big Ten Football Championship Game, leading the Big Ten Conference in pass completions, pass attempts, and passing yards. He was also named second-team All-Big Ten.

2011: Redskins drafted Robert Griffin III

In 2011, the Washington Redskins drafted Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick. The Redskins acquired the Griffin pick by giving the St. Louis Rams four high-value draft picks over three years.

January 2, 2012: Final Game as a Spartan

On January 2, 2012, Kirk Cousins played his final game as a Michigan State Spartan, defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in the Outback Bowl.

May 31, 2012: Signed with Redskins

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 against the Cleveland Browns, marking his first NFL start. He led the Redskins to a 38-21 win, and was later voted Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week.

2012: Drafted by the Redskins

In 2012, Kirk Cousins was drafted by the Washington Redskins as the 102nd pick overall in the fourth round of the NFL draft.

2012: NFC East division title

Kirk Cousins' performance led to the Redskins' victory over the Eagles with a score of 38–24 in 2012, which allowed the team to win the NFC East division title for the first time since Griffin III did it.

December 11, 2013: Named Starting Quarterback

On December 11, 2013, Kirk Cousins was named starting quarterback for the rest of the year for the Washington Redskins.

February 2, 2014: Open to a trade

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

June 28, 2014: Married Julie Hampton

On June 28, 2014, Kirk Cousins married Julie Hampton in Atlanta, Georgia.

August 31, 2015: Named Starter

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

2015: Highest completion percentage

In 2015, Kirk Cousins posted the highest completion percentage (74.7) in home games in NFL history.

2015: Replaced injured Griffin

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

January 3, 2016: Single-season passing yardage record

On January 3, 2016, Kirk Cousins set the Redskins single-season passing yardage record with 4,166 yards.

January 10, 2016: Lost to Packers

On January 10, 2016, Kirk Cousins played against the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round where the Redskins lost 35–18, ending their season. He was later 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, resulting in a one-year, $20 million contract.

2016: Career-high passing yards

In 2016, Kirk Cousins led the Redskins to a winning record of 8–7–1 and finished the season with a career-high 4,917 passing yards.

2016: Tied NFL record

In 2022, Cousins tied the NFL record (since 1960) for a single season with Matthew Stafford's 2016 season with eight game-winning drives.

February 28, 2017: Exclusive Franchise Tag

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

2017: Named to his first Pro Bowl

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

2017: Clinched NFC North

In 2022, the Vikings clinched the NFC North for the first time since 2017.

2017: Finished the season

Kirk Cousins finished the 2017 season with 4,093 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, marking his third consecutive season of passing for at least 4,000 yards.

2017: Redskins Finished 7-9

The Redskins finished the 2017 season with a 7-9 record, missing the playoffs.

March 15, 2018: Signed with Vikings

On March 15, 2018, Kirk Cousins signed with the Minnesota Vikings on a fully guaranteed three-year contract worth $84 million.

2018: Signed with Minnesota Vikings

In 2018, Kirk Cousins signed a fully guaranteed three-year US$84 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent.

2018: Vikings Missed Playoffs

In 2018, The Vikings with Kirk Cousins as Quarterback, missed the playoffs.

2018: NFL Top 100 Players

Kirk Cousins was ranked 94th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.

2019: Had two sons

As of 2019, Kirk Cousins and his wife have two sons, Cooper and Turner.

2019: NFL Top 100 Players

Kirk Cousins was ranked 78th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.

March 13, 2022: Signed Contract Extension

On March 13, 2022, Kirk Cousins signed a one-year, $35 million fully guaranteed contract extension through the 2023 season.

2022: Filmed for Quarterback Documentary

Kirk Cousins was recorded on and off the field during the 2022 NFL season for a Netflix and NFL Films documentary series, Quarterback.

January 15, 2023: Wild Card Round

On January 15, 2023, Cousins played in the Wild Card Round against the Giants, completing 31-of-39 passes for 273 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, alongside a rushing touchdown, but the Vikings lost 31-24.

July 12, 2023: Quarterback Documentary Series debuted

Kirk Cousins was recorded on and off the field during the 2022 NFL season for a Netflix and NFL Films documentary series, Quarterback, which debuted on Netflix on July 12, 2023 (Season 1).

October 29, 2023: Suffered Season-Ending Injury

During the October 29, 2023, game against the Packers, Cousins threw two touchdowns before suffering a season-ending torn Achilles injury during the fourth quarter.

October 31, 2023: Placed on Injured Reserve

On October 31, 2023, Kirk Cousins was placed on the injured reserve list following a season-ending Achilles injury.

March 13, 2024: Signed with the Atlanta Falcons

On March 13, 2024, Kirk Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

April 25, 2024: Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr.

On April 25, 2024, the Atlanta Falcons drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with their first-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft without notifying Cousins.

2024: Signed with Atlanta Falcons

In 2024, Kirk Cousins signed a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

2024: Filmed for Quarterback Documentary

Kirk Cousins was recorded on and off the field during the 2024 NFL season for a Netflix and NFL Films documentary series, Quarterback.

July 12, 2025: Season 2 of Quarterback Documentary Series debuted

Kirk Cousins was recorded on and off the field during the 2024 NFL season for a Netflix and NFL Films documentary series, Quarterback, which debuted on Netflix on July 12, 2025 (Season 2).