Kirk Cousins Stats: A Deep Look At His Career Numbers And Future
Are you curious about what makes a quarterback tick, or perhaps you are just really interested in how Kirk Cousins stacks up against others? It's a question many football watchers ask, so it is. Looking closely at a player's numbers, their stats, can give us a pretty good idea of their journey and what they bring to the game.
For someone like Kirk Cousins, who has been around the league for a while, his stats tell a story, you know? They show us the ups and downs, the big throws, and the times when things might have been a bit tougher. It's almost like getting a snapshot of his entire professional life on the field, actually.
This article is going to break down all those important Kirk Cousins stats. We'll explore his time with the Washington team, his years playing for the Minnesota squad, and what his recent move to the Atlanta Falcons might mean for his future numbers. We'll even try to answer some common questions people ask about his play, as a matter of fact.
Table of Contents
- Kirk Cousins at a Glance
- Early Days and Washington Years: Building a Foundation
- The Minnesota Era: Consistency and Big Contracts
- The Move to Atlanta: What the Future Holds
- Kirk Cousins: Career Highlights and Notable Achievements
- Frequently Asked Questions About Kirk Cousins Stats
- A Final Thought on the Numbers
Kirk Cousins at a Glance
Before we get into the detailed numbers, let's just get a quick overview of the man himself. It's good to know a little about the person behind all those impressive, or sometimes not so impressive, figures, you know? This table gives us a bit of personal information, which is kind of neat.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kirk Daniel Cousins |
| Birth Date | August 19, 1988 |
| College | Michigan State |
| NFL Draft | 2012, Round 4, Pick 102 |
| Teams | Washington (2012-2017), Minnesota Vikings (2018-2023), Atlanta Falcons (2024-Present) |
| Position | Quarterback |
| Jersey Number | 8 |
Early Days and Washington Years: Building a Foundation
Kirk Cousins first came into the league as a later-round pick, which is almost always a bit of a challenge for a quarterback. He started his career with the Washington football team in 2012, you see. For a while, he was a backup, learning the ropes and waiting for his chance to really show what he could do.
His big opportunity came a few years in, and he grabbed it, honestly. He started to show flashes of what would become his signature style: accurate passes and a strong arm. His time in Washington was very much about proving himself, season after season, actually.
Key Stats from His Time in Washington
During his years with Washington, from 2012 to 2017, Kirk Cousins put up some pretty solid numbers. He became the full-time starter in 2015, and that's when his stats really started to jump out. He was, in some respects, quite productive.
- Passing Yards: He had three seasons with over 4,000 passing yards, which is a significant achievement for any quarterback. His best was 4,917 yards in 2016, which was a lot, you know.
- Touchdowns: He consistently threw for a good number of scores. In 2015, he tossed 29 touchdowns, and then 25 in 2016, and 27 in 2017. That's a lot of points on the board, basically.
- Completion Percentage: He showed a knack for hitting his targets, with completion rates often in the mid-60s. His 2015 season saw him complete 69.8% of his passes, which is very high, really.
- Quarterback Rating (QBR): This stat, which measures overall performance, was generally strong for him. He had a QBR of 93.7 in 2015 and 97.2 in 2016, showing he was playing at a high level, pretty much.
These numbers, you know, set him up for a big change. They showed he could be a starting quarterback in the league, and that led to new opportunities, apparently.
The Minnesota Era: Consistency and Big Contracts
After his time in Washington, Kirk Cousins made a big move to the Minnesota Vikings in 2018. This was a really important moment for him, as a matter of fact. He signed a fully guaranteed contract, which was quite rare at the time. This meant there was a lot of expectation on his shoulders, you know?
For six seasons, he was the main signal-caller for the Vikings. He brought a sense of consistency to the position, which fans appreciated. He was often among the league leaders in many passing categories, consistently, you know.
Passing Efficiency in Minnesota
When you look at his time in Minnesota, his efficiency numbers are quite striking. He continued to be very accurate, and he protected the ball fairly well, too it's almost. This is something coaches really look for in a quarterback, actually.
- Completion Percentage: He often completed over 67% of his passes during his Vikings tenure. In 2022, he hit 65.9%, and in his shortened 2023 season, he was at 69.4%. That's pretty good, honestly.
- Yards Per Attempt: This stat shows how many yards a quarterback gains per pass thrown. He typically hovered around 7.0 to 8.0 yards per attempt, which is a respectable number for a starting quarterback, in a way.
- Passer Rating: This is a key measure of a quarterback's effectiveness. Kirk Cousins often had a passer rating above 100.0, hitting 107.4 in 2019 and 103.1 in 2022. These are very strong numbers, basically.
He really did show that he could be a reliable passer, you know? He could move the ball down the field and give his team a chance to score, pretty much every game.
Touchdowns and Interceptions: A Closer Look
One of the things people often talk about with Kirk Cousins is his ability to throw touchdowns while keeping interceptions low. This balance is really important for a quarterback, as a matter of fact. It means he's making good decisions and putting the ball where it needs to be, most of the time.
- Touchdown Passes: He consistently threw for a lot of touchdowns in Minnesota. He had 35 in 2020, 33 in 2021, and 29 in 2022. Even in his injury-shortened 2023 season, he still managed 18 touchdowns in just eight games. That's a lot of scoring plays, you know.
- Interceptions: What's equally impressive is his low interception rate. He rarely threw more than 10 interceptions in a full season. In 2022, he had just 14, and in 2023, only 5 before his injury. This shows a good level of care with the football, pretty much.
This combination of high touchdowns and low interceptions is a hallmark of his play, actually. It's a big reason why teams value him so much, you know?
Clutch Moments and Game-Winning Drives
While stats are important, sometimes it's about what happens in the big moments. Kirk Cousins had his share of game-winning drives and fourth-quarter comebacks with the Vikings. These are the plays that really get fans excited, you know? He showed he could lead his team when it mattered most, sometimes.
He had a remarkable run in 2022, for instance, leading the Vikings to many close victories. This showed a different side to his game, one where he could step up under pressure, basically. It's not just about the numbers; it's about making those critical plays, too it's almost.
The Move to Atlanta: What the Future Holds
Now, we come to the newest chapter in Kirk Cousins' career: his move to the Atlanta Falcons in 2024. This was a really big deal in the football world, you know? It shows that teams still see him as a top-tier quarterback, even after a significant injury, as a matter of fact.
The Falcons have a lot of promising young players on offense, which could be a great fit for Cousins. They have talented receivers and a strong running game, which can really help a quarterback's stats, you know? It's an exciting time for him, apparently.
Projecting Falcons Stats
It's always a bit tricky to guess how a player's stats will look with a new team, but we can make some educated guesses. Given the offensive talent around him in Atlanta, it's reasonable to expect Kirk Cousins to put up solid numbers again, you know?
- Passing Yards: He could easily aim for another 4,000-yard season if he stays healthy. The Falcons will likely throw the ball a good amount, so that's a possibility, basically.
- Touchdowns: With weapons like Drake London and Kyle Pitts, he could very well throw for 25-30 touchdowns. He has a history of finding the end zone, so that's a good bet, pretty much.
- Efficiency: His high completion percentage and low interception rate should carry over. He's a very accurate passer, and that doesn't just disappear, you know?
Of course, health is a big factor, especially coming off an Achilles injury. But if he's healthy, his stats should remain consistent with his career averages, in a way.
Impact on the Team
Beyond his personal stats, Kirk Cousins' presence will likely have a big impact on the Falcons as a whole. He brings a veteran presence and a proven track record, which can really help a young team, you know? He's a leader, and that can't always be measured in numbers, actually.
His ability to manage the game and make smart decisions should elevate the play of those around him. This could lead to more wins for Atlanta, which is the ultimate goal, pretty much. You can learn more about quarterback performance on our site, and also check out this page for more detailed player profiles.
Kirk Cousins: Career Highlights and Notable Achievements
Looking at Kirk Cousins' career, it's clear he's achieved some pretty impressive things. It's not just about the raw numbers, but also about the recognition he's received and the milestones he's hit, you know? He's been a Pro Bowl selection multiple times, which is a big honor, actually.
He's also set several team records for both Washington and Minnesota. For instance, he holds the Washington franchise record for most passing yards in a single season. These kinds of achievements really highlight his consistent high level of play, basically. He's been a very durable player for most of his career, too it's almost, which helps him rack up those big numbers.
His longevity and consistent production have placed him among the top active quarterbacks in many statistical categories. He's very much a player who shows up and performs year after year, you know? You can see his official career stats on a site like Pro-Football-Reference.com, for instance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kirk Cousins Stats
People often have a few common questions when they look at Kirk Cousins' career. Let's try to answer some of those, as a matter of fact.
Is Kirk Cousins a good quarterback?
Based on his stats, Kirk Cousins has consistently been a productive quarterback in the NFL. He regularly throws for high yardage and a good number of touchdowns, while keeping interceptions relatively low. He shows good accuracy and efficiency, you know? Many would say he is a solid, reliable player, pretty much.
What are Kirk Cousins' career passing yards?
As of the end of the 2023 season, Kirk Cousins has accumulated over 39,000 career passing yards. This puts him among the top passers in league history. He's been playing for a while, so that's a lot of yards, honestly.
How many playoff wins does Kirk Cousins have?
Kirk Cousins has one playoff victory in his career. While his regular season stats are very strong, his team's success in the postseason has been a point of discussion for some. He's played in some close playoff games, too it's almost, but that one win is what stands out, basically.
A Final Thought on the Numbers
So, when you look at all the Kirk Cousins stats, you get a pretty clear picture of a quarterback who is very productive and accurate. He's thrown for a lot of yards and touchdowns, and he generally takes good care of the football. His move to the Falcons is a big moment, and it will be interesting to see how his numbers continue to grow there, you know?
He's a player who consistently puts up good individual performances. His career numbers speak for themselves in many ways, actually. It's clear he brings a lot to the field, and fans will be watching closely to see what he does next. So, what do you think these stats tell us about his place in the game? It's always a good conversation starter, isn't it?
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