14 March 2024 , 02:00
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The Atlanta Falcons have splashed out big in free agency, signing Kirk Cousins and Darnell Mooney to multi-year deals.
Cousins, who spent six years as the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, has signed a four-year contract worth $180 million (£140 million), including a $50 million (£39 million) signing bonus and $90 million (£70 million) guaranteed over the next two seasons.
On top of that, Cousins will get an extra $10 million (£7.8 million) guaranteed in 2026, pushing his total guarantees to $100 million (£78 million). But the Falcons didn't stop there.
They also signed Mooney from the Chicago Bears to a three-year deal worth $39 million (£30 million), with $26 million (£20 million) fully guaranteed.
This means the Falcons have spent a whopping $219 million (£170 million) in free agency, with $126 million (£98 million) of that fully guaranteed. They started the 2024 offseason with a projected $75.4 million (£59 million) in cap space, but according to Spotrac, that figure is now just over $10 million (£7.8 million).
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The Falcons are going through changes but now have a new starting franchise quarterback after losing faith in both Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke. They've also added Mooney as a reliable option for Cousins, with Drake London their main wide receiver last season, reports the Mirror US.
London was a first-round pick in 2022 but only managed to score two touchdowns last season, after scoring four in his rookie year. Mooney also had a less successful year for the Bears in 2023 after his role changed, with 414 yards, 34 catches, and one touchdown.
The Bears welcomed DJ Moore after he was traded from the Carolina Panthers for the No. 1 pick in 2023, which meant Mooney was pushed aside as they made use of their new wide receiver.
Darnell Mooney will be given a heightened role after a quiet 2023 (No credit)The Falcons have so far chosen to make the most of free agency and keep their draft capital ahead of the new season. Just like they did in 2022, when they drafted London, the Falcons have the No. 8 pick in the upcoming draft.
They have seven other picks too, including a second-rounder, two third-round picks, and four more in the later rounds.
The Falcons only managed to score 321 points through 17 games last season, which was the third-lowest in the NFC. They still managed to finish with a 7-10 record, but providing that Cousins can stay fit after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in 2023, they have much higher hopes for next year.
Running back Bijan Robinson is set to start his second season, now with a year of experience under his belt. Tight end Kyle Pitts is also expected to have a standout year.
With Pitts, Robinson, Mooney, and London, all of the Falcons' key offensive players are under 27 years old, and they're led by an experienced quarterback.