NFL Rumors: Kirk Cousins' $50M Falcons Contract Doesn't Have Out for Achilles Injury

Quarterback Kirk Cousins' $50 million signing bonus with the Atlanta Falcons required him to pass a physical, but his contract "specifically excludes" the pre-existing torn right Achilles tendon suffered during Week 8 of last season as a member of the Minnesota Vikings, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

In other words, the Falcons will still be on the hook for that money if Cousins suffers another right Achilles ailment.

Per Florio's quoting of the contract, Cousins "must rehabilitate such pre-existing Right Achilles injury as required by and under the supervision and direction of Club's Head Team Physician and Club's Head Athletic Trainer."

So as long as he follows instructions from the Falcons on his rehab, Cousins will retain that bonus no matter what.

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons, including $100 million guaranteed, half of which came in the form of that bonus.

At his introductory press conference, Cousins said he passed the team's physical outside of a right Achilles evaluation.

"Obviously, the Achilles doesn't pass right now," he told reporters (h/t Jarrett Bell of the USA Today). "You expect (it) to in the next few months."

Cousins further expressed optimism that he'll be good to go well in time for training camp.

"I'm optimistic that I can be full-speed at practice before we break for the summer," Cousins said. "That's kind of the goal I've got for myself."

Despite the Cousins deal, Atlanta still used the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft on a quarterback, taking Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington. So the Falcons have a Plan B on paper in case Cousins suffers another long-term injury, but obviously, the hope is for him to remain fully healthy and return to his productive past form.

Cousins, who turns 36 in August, is a four-time Pro Bowler. He was enjoying a great 2023 campaign before the injury, completing 69.5 percent of his passes for 18 touchdowns (five interceptions) and 2,331 yards in eight games.