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 notable NFL quarterback. He holds a high completion percentage and ranks among the top in all-time regular season career passer ratings.

Sections (4)

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

1945: Sammy Baugh Completion Percentage

In 1945, Sammy Baugh completed 70.3% of his passes.

1950: First Redskins Quarterback since 1950

Against the New Orleans Saints on November 15, Kirk Cousins became the first Washington Redskins quarterback since 1950 to post a perfect passer rating with at least 20 attempts.

1967: Sonny Jurgensen Passing Touchdowns Record

In 1967, Sonny Jurgensen had 31 passing touchdowns, the most in Redskins history.

1970: Sonny Jurgensen Passing Touchdowns

In 1970, Sonny Jurgensen had at least four passing touchdowns in three or more games in one season for the Redskins.

1979: Tommy Kramer's Team Record

Tommy Kramer set a team record of 16 consecutive pass completions during the 1979 season.

1986: Jay Schroeder Passing Record

In 1986, Jay Schroeder had 4,109 passing yards.

August 19, 1988: Kirk Cousins Born

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

Others born on this day/year

1994: Redskins drafted Heath Shuler and Gus Frerotte

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

2007: Jason Campbell tied Franchise record for Completions

In 2007, Jason Campbell tied a franchise record for completions in a game with 33.

2007: Accepted Scholarship to Michigan State

In 2007, Kirk Cousins accepted a scholarship to Michigan State after Mark Dantonio became the head coach.

2007: Redshirted for the season

Kirk Cousins redshirted for the 2007 season at Michigan State.

2008: Backup Quarterback at Michigan State

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

2009: Won Starting Quarterback Job

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

2010: Led Michigan State to 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: Played in Big Ten Championship Game

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

2011: Robert Griffin III drafted by the Redskins

In 2011, the Washington Redskins drafted Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick.

January 2, 2012: Final Game as 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 Four-Year Contract 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 made his first NFL start for the Redskins against the Cleveland Browns, leading them to a 38-21 victory and earning Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honors.

2012: Game-Winning Drive Against the Eagles

In 2012, Kirk Cousins led a 90-yard game-winning drive against the Eagles. He threw a touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon with under a minute left in the fourth quarter, winning the game 23-20.

2012: Drafted by the Washington Redskins

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

2012: Redskins win NFC East division

In a victory against the Eagles, the Redskins won the NFC East division title for the first time since Robert Griffin III did it in 2012.

December 11, 2013: Named Starting Quarterback for Remainder of Season

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

February 2, 2014: Open to a trade from the Redskins

On February 2, 2014, Kirk Cousins was reported to be open to a trade from the Washington Redskins.

June 28, 2014: Marriage to Julie Hampton

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

August 31, 2015: Named Starter for the Season

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

2015: Highest Completion Percentage in Home Games

During the 2015 season, Kirk Cousins posted the highest completion percentage (74.7) in home games in NFL history, leading the Redskins to a 6-2 record at home.

2015: Became Starting Quarterback for Redskins

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

January 3, 2016: Redskins Single-Season Passing Yardage Record

On January 3, 2016, Kirk Cousins set the Washington Redskins single-season passing yardage record with 4,166 yards, passing Jay Schroeder's record from 1986.

January 10, 2016: Wild Card Round vs 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.

March 1, 2016: Franchise Tagged by Redskins

On March 1, 2016, Kirk Cousins was franchise tagged by the Washington Redskins.

2016: Career-High Passing Yards

In 2016, Kirk Cousins finished the season with a career-high 4,917 passing yards, ranking third in the NFL.

February 28, 2017: Franchise Tagged for Second Consecutive Year

On February 28, 2017, Kirk Cousins was franchise tagged for the second consecutive year, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to be franchise-tagged in consecutive years.

2017: Named to First Pro Bowl

In 2017, Kirk Cousins was named to his first Pro Bowl, replacing Matt Ryan.

2017: Redskins missed the Playoffs

In 2017, The Washington Redskins finished the season with a 7-9 record and missed the playoffs.

2017: Third Consecutive Season 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 Vikings

On March 15, 2018, Kirk Cousins signed a fully guaranteed three-year contract worth $84 million with the Minnesota Vikings. This was the first fully guaranteed and highest paying contract in NFL history.

2018: Signed with Minnesota Vikings

In 2018, Kirk Cousins signed a fully guaranteed three-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

2018: Ranked 94th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players

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

2018: Vikings missed the playoffs

In 2018, despite strong expectations and the addition of Kirk Cousins as Quarterback, the Minnesota Vikings missed the playoffs.

2019: Father of Two Sons

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

2019: Ranked 78th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players

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

March 18, 2020: Contract Extension with the 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.

July 12, 2023: "Quarterback" documentary series debut on Netflix

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

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October 29, 2023: Season-Ending Injury

During the October 29, 2023, game against the Packers, Kirk Cousins suffered 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 torn Achilles.

March 13, 2024: Signs with the Atlanta Falcons

On March 13, 2024, Kirk Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Reports of potential tampering surfaced after the signing.

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 informing Kirk Cousins beforehand.