Cam Newton criticizes Falcons for Kirk Cousins contract

Kirk Cousins. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Cam Newton criticizes Falcons for 'alarming' Kirk Cousins contract

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Mar 14, 2024 8:28 AM ET

The four-year, $180 million contract that included $100M guaranteed that the Atlanta Falcons and quarterback Kirk Cousins agreed to was finalized on Wednesday when the new NFL year began, and of course former Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton had something to say about it.

During a recent episode of the “4th & 1” podcast, Newton called Cousins’ new deal “alarming,” stating that the Falcons chose a player who wasn’t much of a gamble.

“Even though it is extremely alarming that he only had one playoff win in 12 years, he’s been breaking the bank,” Newton said. “But it’s a safe pick. I feel like the Atlanta Falcons were trying to go find a Matt Ryan.”

Much has been made of the amount of money Cousins has accrued over his 12-year career, of which he was a starter for nine of those years, despite his 1-3 record in the postseason.

"Kirk Cousins is going to end his career as 1 of the 5 highest paid players in NFL history. ... He's laid the blueprint for maxing out earnings. He's never been great, he's never had postseason success & he still makes all-time legendary money."

— @getnickwright pic.twitter.com/EVRw35XiOj
— What’s Wright? with Nick Wright (@WhatsWrightShow) March 12, 2024

Including the guaranteed money from his new deal, Cousins has made a reported $331.4M, second-most in NFL history behind only Aaron Rodgers ($343.5M). For context, the largest deal Newton signed was a five-year, $103.8M deal with the Panthers back in 2015.

Of course, Newton’s remarks also had an undertone of jealousy. He pointed out that he remains unsigned while Cousins was given one of the biggest contracts for a QB in NFL history while coming off a more devastating injury than his.

“I can’t make it about me, but if I were to make it about me, it’s like I had a Lisfranc injury,” Newton remarked. “It’s not as bad as an Achilles injury. But damn…who was [Cousins’] agent? Like who the [expletive] is structuring all of these? I’m looking at this like won’t [Cousins’ agent Mike McCartney] do it?”

Michael Gallagher

Michael Gallagher is a longtime sports journalist based out of Nashville with a decade of experience covering college football, mixed martial arts and prep sports plus the NFL and NHL — specifically the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. He’s covered several notable sporting events including an AFC Championship game, a Stanley Cup Final, an NHL All-Star Game and an NHL Stadium Series. Some of his past bylines can be found at the Nashville Scene, SB Nation, The Hockey News and Fox Sports Knoxville

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