Cousins gets HUGE money from Falcons
The Giants and Jets weren’t the only NFL teams to undergo major roster makeovers Monday.
Kirk Cousins, Christian Wilkins and Josh Jacobs agreed to deals with new teams during the first day of the league’s legal tampering period, following Russell Wilson, who found a new home Sunday just before midnight.
Their contracts can go into effect as soon as Wednesday, when the new league year officially begins.
Other marquee moves involved superstar running back Saquon Barkley leaving the Giants for a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the division-rival Eagles, and safety Xavier McKinney bailing on Big Blue for a four-year, $68 million pact with the Green Bay Packers.
The Giants later acquired Pro Bowl pass rusher Brian Burns in a trade with the Carolina Panthers.
The Jets, meanwhile, watched linebacker Bryce Huff, who led the team with 10 sacks last season, reach a three-year, $51.1 million deal with Philly.
Here are some of the biggest soon-to-be signings around the NFL:
KIRK COUSINS
Atlanta Falcons
A season-ending Achilles tear didn’t dampen Cousins’ market, as he agreed to a four-year, $180 million contract ($100 million guaranteed) to join quarterback-needy Atlanta.
Cousins, 35, passed for 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns in eight games with the Vikings last season, and could be the missing piece on an Atlanta offense featuring premium playmakers in running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London.
CHRISTIAN WILKINS
Las Vegas Raiders
The now-former Dolphin is the latest disruptive defensive tackle to cash in, reaching a four-year, $110 million contract ($84.75 million guaranteed) to join the Raiders.
The 28-year-old Wilkins, who tallied 9.0 sacks last season, forms a dynamic pass rush duo with Vegas defensive end Maxx Crosby, who had 14.5.
JOSH JACOBS
Green Bay Packers
Before Barkley bolted the Giants, the ex-Raider Jacobs set the top of the running back market Monday with a four-year, $48 million deal ($12.5 million guaranteed) with Green Bay.
The impending arrival of the former rushing champ, 26, prompted the Packers to cut longtime running back Aaron Jones.
AUSTIN EKELER
Washington Commanders
Another big name running back to relocate, Ekeler is set to sign with Washington for two years and up to $11.43 million, according to NFL Media.
After scoring 38 touchdowns for the Chargers from 2021-22, Ekeler managed only six in
14 games during an injury-plagued 2023 campaign. He’ll be
29 when the season begins.
ROBERT HUNT
Carolina Panthers
Formerly of the Dolphins, Hunt isn’t the biggest name on this list, but he’s among the richest.
The 27-year-old guard got a fiveyear, $100 million mega-deal ($63 million guarenteed) to help bolster a Panthers offensive line that was downright brutal during quarterback Bryce Young’s rookie season in 2023.
MICHAEL PITTMAN
Indianapolis Colts
Pittman is staying put.
After three consecutive seasons with 925 receiving yards – including a career-high 1,152 last year, the steady Pittman, 26, signed a three-year, $70 million deal ($46 million guaranteed) to replace the franchise tag the Colts used last week, according to ESPN.
CHRIS JONES
Kansas City Chiefs
Also staying put is the Chiefs stalwart Jones, who finalized a previously agreed-upon five-year, $158.75 million contract Monday to chase a fourth Super Bowl title with Kansas City.
The defensive tackle, 29, posted 10.5 sacks last season and boasts 75.5 over his eight-year career.
TONY POLLARD
Tennessee Titans
In another NFC East shakeup at running back, Tony Pollard is set to depart Dallas and replace Derrick Henry with the Titans.
It’s a three-year, $24 million pact for Pollard – the same framework as the deal now-former Eagles back D’Andre Swift reached with the Chicago Bears.
JONATHAN GREENARD
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings need a quarterback after Cousins’ exit, though their defense was looking a little stronger Monday afternoon than it was when the day started.
That’s thanks to a four-year, $76 million deal ($42 million guaranteed) with the pass rusher Greenard, who recorded 12.5 sacks with Houston in 2023.