History of Kirk Cousins in Timeline

Kirk Cousins is a professional American football quarterback currently playing for the Atlanta Falcons. Drafted by the Washington Redskins in 2012 after playing college football at Michigan State, Cousins has established himself as a consistent and accurate passer in the NFL. He holds a high completion percentage and a strong passer rating, placing him among the league's all-time leaders in these categories.

Sections (4)

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

1960: Tied NFL Record

In 2022, Kirk Cousins' eight game-winning drives tied the NFL record (since 1960) for a single season.

1979: Tommy Kramer's Team Record

In 2022 against the Bears, Cousins completed a one-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Reagor for his 19th consecutive completion, breaking Tommy Kramer's team record of 16 consecutive completions, which he set during the 1979 season.

August 19, 1988: Kirk Cousins Born

On August 19, 1988, Kirk Daniel Cousins was born. He is now a professional football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL.

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, similar to drafting Griffin and Cousins in the same draft.

2007: Joined Michigan State

In 2007, Kirk Cousins accepted a scholarship to play football at Michigan State after Mark Dantonio became the head coach and offered him a spot.

2008: Backup Quarterback

In 2008, Kirk Cousins served as the backup quarterback to Brian Hoyer at Michigan State, 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 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 Championship Game

In 2011, Kirk Cousins led the Spartans to an 11-3 record and played in the first-ever Big Ten Football Championship Game and was named second-team All-Big Ten.

2011: Robert Griffin III drafted

In 2011, the Redskins drafted Robert Griffin III to be their franchise quarterback.

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.

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 and Rookie of the Week

On December 15, 2012, Kirk Cousins made his first NFL start against the Cleveland Browns, leading the Redskins to a 38-21 win. He was subsequently voted 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.

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, Kirk Cousins stated that he was open to a trade from the Redskins.

June 28, 2014: Marriage to Julie Hampton

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

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: Became Redskins Starter

In 2015, Kirk Cousins replaced an injured Robert Griffin III as the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins, leading the team to a division title.

January 3, 2016: Redskins Single-Season Passing Record

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

January 10, 2016: Wild Card Round against Packers

On January 10, 2016, Kirk Cousins played against the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round, completing 29-of-46 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns. The Redskins lost 35-18. He was later named the PFWA Most Improved Player

March 1, 2016: Franchise Tagged by Redskins

On March 1, 2016, Kirk Cousins was franchise tagged by the Washington Redskins, preventing him from becoming an unrestricted free agent.

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.

2016: Tied NFL Record

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

February 28, 2017: Exclusive Franchise Tag

On February 28, 2017, Kirk Cousins received the exclusive franchise tag becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to be franchise-tagged in consecutive years.

2017: Named to Pro Bowl

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

2017: Week 3 Victory over Raiders

In Week 3 of 2017, Kirk Cousins led the Redskins to a 27-10 victory over the Oakland Raiders, earning him his fourth NFC Offensive Player of the Week award.

2017: Vikings Clinch NFC North

In a week 15 game against the Colts in 2022, the Vikings completed the largest comeback in NFL history and clinched the NFC North for the first time since 2017.

March 15, 2018: Signed with Vikings

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

2018: Signed with Minnesota Vikings

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

2018: Ranked in NFL Top 100

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

2019: Fatherhood

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

2019: Named to Second Pro Bowl

In 2019, Kirk Cousins was named to his second career Pro Bowl.

2019: Ranked in NFL Top 100

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

March 18, 2020: Contract Extension with Vikings

On March 18, 2020, Kirk Cousins signed a two-year, $66 million contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings.

March 13, 2022: Contract Extension

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

2022: 2022 Season Performance

For the 2022 season, Cousins finished with 4,547 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, leading the Vikings to a 13–4 record and a NFC North title.

2022: Career High Passing Yards

In a week 15 game against the Colts in 2022, Kirk Cousins completed 34 of 54 passes for a career-high 460 passing yards and was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

2022: Filming for Quarterback Documentary

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

January 15, 2023: Wild Card Round Loss

On January 15, 2023, Kirk Cousins and the Vikings faced the Giants in the Wild Card Round, where Cousins completed 31-of-39 passes for 273 yards, two touchdowns and a rushing touchdown, but the Vikings lost 31-24.

July 12, 2023: Quarterback Documentary Release

The Netflix and NFL Films documentary series, Quarterback, which featured Kirk Cousins during the 2022 NFL season, debuted on Netflix on July 12, 2023.

October 29, 2023: Season-Ending Injury

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

October 31, 2023: Placed on Injured Reserve

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

2023: Contract Extension

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

March 13, 2024: Signed with Atlanta Falcons

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

April 25, 2024: Falcons Draft Michael Penix Jr.

On April 25, 2024, the Atlanta Falcons drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, without notifying Kirk Cousins or his agent.