When the news of Kirk Cousins‘ humungous contract broke out last month, it seemed like the quarterback hit the jackpot. The veteran parted ways with the Minnesota Vikings after six years, signing a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. But the 35-year-old gave a reality check about his lucrative contract.

According to NFL Insider Tom Pelissero, Cousins agreed on a $180 million deal with a $100 million total guaranteed. Though his decision to leave Minnesota after a successful run seemed surprising to many, his preference for the massive compensation seemed understandable. But in light of his recent revelations, a question mark looms over the quoted enticing figures.

In a recent appearance on the ‘Big Podcast with Shaq,’ the veteran quarterback opened up about his big move. Cousins talked to the NBA legend about how the NFL contracts are different than those in the basketball league, “I’ve always been about structure. Because in basketball, I think the contracts are guaranteed. Football, it’s not the case.”

Cousins called the guarantees false since, after a few years, the athletes have to work to their fullest on the field to achieve the quoted figures. The pay ultimately comes down to incentives depending on performance. He explained, “It’s all fake money… You basically sign one-to two-year deals, a nice, nice contract. But then there’s these fake numbers afterwards.”

However, the quarterback also recognized a healthy aspect of the clause, as even the highest-paid players have to “grind their tails,” and no one gets an easy pass. But at the same time, he feels that the system is not very comfortable for the players in question, saying, “It makes everybody come into work and grind their tails off because even the highest paid guys are like, ‘If I don’t deliver, I’m gone.’ So there’s like a healthiness to that… But at the same time, you know, it’s not player-friendly.”

While Cousins shared his views about his seemingly profitable new contract with the Falcons, a former Carolina Panthers doesn’t seem to agree with his signing to the Vikings for the massive amount in the first place.

Cam Newton shares his woes about Cousins’ “egregious” contract

The former MVP Cam Newton also made an appearance on the ‘Club Shay Shay’ and had some brazen opinions to share about Cousins’ much-discussed deal with the Falcons. Newton said that while he is happy that the former Vikings star is promised the huge sum of $180 million, it is a questionable decision on Atlanta’s part. He further opined that with that amount, the team could’ve signed three QBs, including the likes of himself, Justin Fields, and Michael Vick.

“It ain’t even, I mean, [his new contract is] egregious, and I love the fact that [Cousins is] able to get that money… But what the Falcons paid Kirk Cousins, they could have [signed] Cam Newton, Justin Fields, and Michael Vick for that price.”

Furthermore, Newton went on to mention that the Falcons do not seem to mind Cousins’ recent Achilles injury, while he himself didn’t get the same leeway from teams. He expressed that he feels betrayed and “bitter” by the massive contract of the newly signed QB when teams refused him due to his injuries. The QB last played in 2021 and hasn’t formally retired since.

Newton said, “So now, [Cousins is] coming back, I had this take on ‘4th & 1’, you are giving this person the money coming off of injury. So, how am I supposed to feel? Because the same questions and the same concerns that you had with me, obviously you done overlooked that. And if you give Kirk Cousins my resume, he probably would’ve got more [money]. But I’m tripping. But I’m bitter. But I’m mad. [Actually], I’m not. I’m just exposing the truth. And it’s for you to digest it however you feel.”

Kirk Cousins’ signing certainly seemed to ruffle a lot of feathers. As Newton expressed his candid views about how he felt he was dealt an unfair hand, the Falcons gear up for the upcoming season in hopes of bettering their performance from last year.