Kirk Cousins, a quarterback known for his precision and leadership on the field, began his professional football career when he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Cousins, who played college football at Michigan State University, was initially brought in as a backup to Robert Griffin III. Despite being a backup, Cousins had opportunities to start due to Griffin's injuries and inconsistent performances.
In his early years with Washington, Cousins demonstrated his ability to handle the pressures of the NFL. His first significant playing time came in 2013, when he started three games. Although the team struggled, Cousins showed flashes of potential, throwing for over 800 yards and four touchdowns in those starts. The 2014 season saw Cousins again stepping in for Griffin, starting five games and throwing for over 1,700 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, turnovers were an issue, as he also threw nine interceptions.
The 2015 season marked a turning point for Cousins. He was named the starting quarterback for Washington, and he responded by leading the team to a division title and a playoff appearance. Cousins threw for 4,166 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, earning him the NFC Offensive Player of the Month award in December. His performance that season led to the famous "You like that?!" moment, which became a rallying cry for fans and teammates alike.
Cousins continued to be Washington's starting quarterback for the next two seasons, consistently putting up strong numbers. In 2016, he threw for a career-high 4,917 yards, along with 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Despite his efforts, the team missed the playoffs. The 2017 season saw Cousins pass for 4,093 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, but again, Washington did not make the postseason.
After the 2017 season, Cousins became a free agent and signed a fully guaranteed three-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings. This move was significant as it was the first fully guaranteed contract of its kind in NFL history. In his first season with the Vikings in 2018, Cousins threw for 4,298 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. However, the team finished with an 8-7-1 record and missed the playoffs.
The 2019 season was a bounce-back year for Cousins and the Vikings. He threw for 3,603 yards, 26 touchdowns, and only six interceptions, leading the team to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth. In the Wild Card round, Cousins played a crucial role in the Vikings' upset victory over the New Orleans Saints, throwing a game-winning touchdown pass in overtime. The Vikings' season ended in the Divisional Round with a loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Cousins continued to be a steady presence for the Vikings in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In 2020, he threw for 4,265 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, but the team finished with a 7-9 record. The 2021 season saw Cousins pass for 4,221 yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, yet the Vikings again missed the playoffs with an 8-9 record.
Throughout his career, Cousins has been known for his accuracy and ability to perform under pressure.
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