Kirk Cousins has carved out a notable career in the NFL, becoming one of the league’s most reliable quarterbacks. Known for his precision and consistency, Cousins has amassed impressive stats that place him among the top-tier players in his position.
From his early days with the Washington Football Team to his current role with the Minnesota Vikings, his journey is a testament to hard work and resilience.
As fans and analysts dissect his performance, Cousins’ career stats offer a comprehensive look at his impact on the field. Whether it’s his passing yards, touchdown throws, or quarterback rating, each statistic tells a story of a player who has consistently delivered under pressure.
This article delves into the numbers that define Kirk Cousins’ career, highlighting the milestones and achievements that have solidified his reputation in the NFL.
Highlights of Kirk Cousins’ Career
Kirk Cousins’ career showcases exceptional performance metrics. Each year, he demonstrates high passing accuracy, as reflected in his completions percentage (CMP%) and other key stats.
Completion Percentage (CMP%)
Cousins consistently maintains a high completion percentage. In 2023, he achieved a CMP% of 69.5%. This accuracy trend is evident throughout his career, with his peak in 2018 at 70.1%.
Furthermore, Cousins has amassed impressive yardage totals over the years, including over 4,000 passing yards in multiple seasons. His ability to read defenses and execute under pressure has solidified his status among top NFL quarterbacks.
Passing Yards (YDS)
Each season, Cousins amasses significant passing yards, contributing to his team’s offensive prowess. Notably, he amassed 4,917 yards in 2016. His highest totals often exceeded 4,000 yards per year, reinforcing his consistent performance.
Cousins’ impressive career also includes achieving over 30 touchdown passes in multiple seasons. His precision and reliability have solidified his reputation as one of the most dependable quarterbacks in the NFL.
Touchdowns (TD)
Cousins has a reputation for delivering crucial touchdowns. In 2022, he threw for 29 touchdowns, while his best season in this metric was 2020, with 35 touchdowns. Additionally, Cousins has consistently maintained a high completion rate, surpassing 67% annually.
His ability to lead game-winning drives has cemented his role as a reliable quarterback in the league.
Interceptions (INT)
Cousins minimizes mistakes, as seen in his low interception counts. In 2021, he threw only 7 interceptions over the entire season. His career average aligns with his disciplined approach to the game.
Furthermore, Cousins consistently demonstrates accuracy with a career completion rate above 66%. This precision, combined with his adept decision-making, makes him a reliable quarterback.
Passer Rating
Cousins’ passer ratings highlight his efficiency as a quarterback. In 2016, he achieved a passer rating of 97.2. His highest season passer rating was 107.4 in 2019.
Additionally, Cousins has consistently surpassed 4,000 passing yards in several seasons, showcasing his ability to sustain offensive drives and deliver under pressure. His touchdown-to-interception ratio further underscores his rapid decision-making and accuracy on the field.
Yearly Stats Overview
The table below provides a comprehensive view of Cousins’ yearly statistics, underscoring his consistent high-level performance:
| Year | Team | CMP% | YDS | TD | INT | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Vikings | 69.5 | 2,331 | 18 | 5 | 103.8 |
| 2022 | Vikings | 65.9 | 4,547 | 29 | 14 | 92.5 |
| 2021 | Vikings | 66.3 | 4,221 | 33 | 7 | 103.1 |
| 2020 | Vikings | 67.6 | 4,265 | 35 | 13 | 105.0 |
| 2019 | Vikings | 69.1 | 3,603 | 26 | 6 | 107.4 |
| 2018 | Vikings | 70.1 | 4,298 | 30 | 10 | 99.7 |
| 2017 | Commanders | 64.3 | 4,093 | 27 | – | 93.9 |
| 2016 | Commanders | 67.0 | 4,917 | 25 | 12 | 97.2 |
| 2015 | Commanders | 69.8 | 4,166 | – | 11 | 101.6 |
| 2014 | Commanders | 61.8 | 1,710 | – | 9 | 86.4 |
| 2013 | Commanders | 52.3 | 854 | – | 4 | 58.4 |
| 2012 | Commanders | 68.8 | 466 | – | 3 | – |
These highlights provide a quick glance into Kirk Cousins’ remarkable career, illustrating his competence and dedication as an NFL quarterback.
Passing Statistics
Kirk Cousins has consistently delivered outstanding passing statistics throughout his NFL career. His precision and ability to perform under pressure set him apart as a top-tier quarterback.
Career Passing Yards
Cousins has amassed impressive career passing yards, exceeding 35,000 yards. This achievement places him among the top quarterbacks in the league.
For example, in the 2016 season, he threw for 4,917 yards, showcasing his ability to rack up significant yardage consistently.
Additionally, Cousins has maintained a solid touchdown-to-interception ratio, highlighting his precision and decision-making skills. His career passer rating further underscores his efficiency as a quarterback.
Touchdowns and Interceptions
Cousins has thrown over 225 touchdowns, displaying his effectiveness in the red zone. He’s also maintained a relatively low number of interceptions, around 100, which points to his accuracy and decision-making skills.
In particular seasons like 2015, he threw 29 touchdowns against just 11 interceptions, highlighting his balanced performance.
Additionally, in 2018, he achieved over 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions, reinforcing his consistency. His career completion percentage hovers around 67%, showcasing his precision.
Passer Rating
His career passer rating consistently ranks high, often exceeding 95.0. This rating reflects his efficiency and effectiveness as a quarterback
For instance, in the 2019 season, he posted a passer rating of 107.4, further cementing his status as one of the league’s most reliable quarterbacks.
Additionally, Cousins has thrown for over 4,000 yards in multiple seasons and has a remarkable touchdown-to-interception ratio. His ability to maintain high completion percentages showcases his accuracy under pressure.
Rushing and Receiving
Kirk Cousins, renowned for his passing skills, has also contributed with rushing and occasional receptions, accumulating 892 rushing yards on 284 attempts, averaging 3.1 yards per carry, and scoring 18 rushing touchdowns. He has 2 receptions for 32 yards, highlighting his versatility.
With over 35,000 career passing yards and more than 200 touchdowns, Cousins’ consistency and reliability have made him vital to his teams.
Maintaining a completion percentage above 65%, he is known for his precision and decision-making. Recognized for his durability, Cousins has started every game in multiple seasons, showcasing his resilience and leadership.
Fumbles and Turnovers
Kirk Cousins has had a noteworthy career concerning ball security. He’s accumulated a total of 57 fumbles through his NFL tenure.
Maintaining possession is essential for success, and turnovers prove costly in critical situations. Cousins’ fumbles have resulted in 31 lost possessions, impacting game outcomes.
Interceptions are another aspect to consider for a quarterback’s effectiveness. Cousins has thrown 98 interceptions over his career. These turnovers present opportunities for opposing defenses and disrupt offensive momentum.
To illustrate, Cousins’ interception rate stands at approximately 2.2%, calculated from his 4,450 passing attempts.
Key statistics on Cousins’ turnovers include:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Fumbles | 57 |
| Fumbles Lost | 31 |
| Interceptions | 98 |
| Interception Rate | 2.2% |
These figures reflect Cousins’ journey with maintaining ball control under immense in-game pressure. Turnovers, although a challenge, represent areas for quarterbacks to improve upon while striving for optimal offensive performance.
Team Contributions
Kirk Cousins has significantly impacted the teams he’s played for, demonstrating his ability as a quarterback.
Washington Redskins/Commanders
Cousins started his NFL career with the Washington Redskins, now known as the Washington Commanders. Over six seasons (2012-2017), he accumulated impressive stats. Cousins threw for 16,206 yards, averaging 7.5 yards per attempt.
He had a 65.5% completion rate, showing his accuracy under pressure. He recorded 99 touchdown passes compared to 55 interceptions.
In 2015, Cousins led Washington to an NFC East title, a vital contribution to the team’s playoff appearance. His leadership and performance stabilized the quarterback position in a franchise that had lacked consistency.
Minnesota Vikings
In 2018, Cousins joined the Minnesota Vikings. His performance continued to excel. Over five seasons (2018-present), he amassed 20,934 passing yards with an 8.0 yards per attempt average. Cousins achieved a 68.3% completion rate, reflecting his efficiency.
He threw 153 touchdown passes and only 50 interceptions. In 2019, Cousins guided the Vikings to a playoff victory against the New Orleans Saints, a significant achievement that highlighted his capability in high-pressure scenarios.
His tenure with the Vikings enhanced the team’s offensive strategy, contributing to multiple winning seasons.
Pro Bowl Selections and Achievements
Kirk Cousins earned multiple Pro Bowl selections throughout his career. He received Pro Bowl honors in 2016, 2019, and 2021. Each selection reflected his strong performance for that season, with significant passing yards, efficient completions, and notable touchdowns.
2016 Pro Bowl Selection
During the 2016 season, Cousins threw for 4,917 yards with the Washington Redskins (now Commanders), completing 67% of his passes and achieving 25 touchdowns. This performance led to his first Pro Bowl selection, showcasing his ability in high-pressure games.
In subsequent seasons, he consistently averaged over 4,000 passing yards per year, and his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings solidified his reputation as a reliable quarterback.
2019 Pro Bowl Selection
In 2019, Cousins played for the Minnesota Vikings and demonstrated his prowess by passing for 3,603 yards, achieving a 69.1% completion rate, and throwing 26 touchdowns, earning another Pro Bowl selection.
In 2020, he further solidified his reputation with 4,265 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, maintaining commendable offensive leadership despite the Vikings missing the playoffs.
2021 Pro Bowl Selection
Cousins’ 2021 season stood out with 4,221 passing yards and a career-high 33 touchdowns, and a 66.3% completion rate. This outstanding performance resulted in his third Pro Bowl selection, underscoring his sustained excellence as a quarterback.
His consistency, marked by multiple seasons surpassing 4,000 passing yards, and leadership on the field continue to make him a vital asset for the Vikings.
Additional Achievements
Besides Pro Bowl selections, Cousins received recognition for being named NFC Offensive Player of the Week multiple times and for his leadership in crucial playoff victories.
He maintained consecutive seasons with over 4,000 passing yards and a passer rating above 100, cementing his status as a top-tier NFL quarterback.
Cousins consistently ranks among league leaders in completion percentage and touchdown passes, showcasing his durability and reliability. These achievements underscore his individual talent and significant impact on team performance and success.
Franchise Records
Kirk Cousins holds several franchise records from his tenure with the Washington Redskins/Commanders and the Minnesota Vikings, reflecting his expertise and consistency as a quarterback.
Washington Redskins/Commanders Records
Kirk Cousins set records for single-season passing yards and completions during his time with the Washington Redskins/Commanders. He holds the highest single-season passing yards with 4,917 yards in 2016 and the most completions in a season, totaling 406 in 2016.
He also set a record for single-game passing yards, with 449 yards against the New Orleans Saints on November 15, 2015. Cousins holds the record for the most consecutive games with 300+ passing yards, achieving this feat three times in 2015.
Minnesota Vikings Records
During his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings, Kirk Cousins set the franchise record for single-season completion percentage, achieving 70.1% in 2018. He holds the franchise record for the most games in a season with a passer rating above 100, with 10 games in 2019.
Cousins also set the Vikings’ record for the most consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass, maintaining this streak for 24 games from 2018 to 2019. His career-best for passing touchdowns in a single season, 35 in 2020, also stands as a franchise record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kirk Cousins a good quarterback?
Kirk Cousins is generally regarded as a good quarterback but not among the elite. He has shown consistency, earning Pro Bowl selections in 2016, 2019, and 2021.
How much money has Kirk Cousins made in his career?
As of now, Kirk Cousins has earned approximately $281 million in his NFL career, with a significant contract extension putting him on pace to be one of the highest-earning quarterbacks.
What is the most yards Kirk Cousins has thrown in a game?
Kirk Cousins threw for his most passing yards in a game on December 17, 2022, against the Indianapolis Colts, where he threw for 460 yards.
What is Kirk Cousins known for?
Kirk Cousins is known for his impressive passing accuracy and consistency. He holds several franchise records with the Washington Redskins/Commanders and the Minnesota Vikings, including single-season passing yards and completions.
What rank is Kirk Cousins in the NFL?
In the NFL Top 100 list, Kirk Cousins was ranked No. 42 this year, recognizing his consistent performance and contributions on the field.
Conclusion
Kirk Cousins’ career stats highlight his well-rounded skills and significant contributions to both the Washington Redskins/Commanders and the Minnesota Vikings. His ability to lead teams to victories and achieve multiple Pro Bowl selections underscores his talent and dedication.
Cousins’ consistent performance, marked by impressive passing yards and numerous franchise records, cements his reputation as a top-tier NFL quarterback.
As he continues to play, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how he further builds on his already impressive career. With a passer rating consistently among the league’s best, Cousins demonstrates remarkable accuracy and poise under pressure.
His journey, from a backup to an established starter, reflects his perseverance and growth. As he continues to break personal and team records, his legacy in the NFL continues to grow.
Ashley Hopkinson