Redskins reportedly consider drastic move with Kirk Cousins
The relationship between Kirk Cousins and the Redskins has always been … well, different.
But this could take it to the next level.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Washington is considering placing the franchise tag — again — on its quarterback, just days after agreeing to replace him on the roster.
Apparently unwilling to meet Cousins’ requests on a long-term contract, the Redskins acquired Alex Smith from Kansas City last week, and will extend his contract by four years (the deals won’t become official until the league’s new year begins in March).
The acquisition of Smith was expected to make Cousins an unrestricted free agent, meaning he could sign with a new team without having any compensation attached. If he were to go on the market, any team could sign him and not have to sacrifice a draft pick.
The Cousins derby was expected to be among the biggest storylines of the NFL’s offseason.
Schefter says that while Washington is 100-percent committed to Smith, slapping Cousins with the franchise tag would allow the organization some control over where he ends up and allow the team to negotiate something of value in return.
However, it also carries risk for the team. As Schefter explains, Cousins would have to sign the franchise tag before any trade is orchestrated. If he waits until after the league’s new year begins, the Redskins would have to count roughly $34 million against their cap.
If Washington decided to tag Cousins, but then decides to pull the tag to erase his salary off their cap, Schefter reports the team would lose the 2019 compensatory draft pick it would get if Cousins were to leave right away as a free agent.
This is just the latest chapter in a strange relationship between team and quarterback.
The Redskins made a huge splash in the 2012 NFL draft, moving up to select Robert Griffin III with the second pick, but then choosing Cousins in the fourth round.
As Griffin battled injuries that eventually ended his NFL career, Cousins took the job and ran with it, starting every game over the past three seasons.
In 2015, Cousins led the league in completion percentage and led the team to the playoffs.
The two sides were unable to work out a long-term deal with Washington, so the team placed the franchise tag on him. That allowed Cousins to be paid just under $20 million for the next season, when he went to his first Pro Bowl.
After the 2016 season, he received the tag again, which earned him $23.9 million for 2017.
If he becomes an unrestricted free agent, his bidding could be the highest profile sweepstakes since Peyton Manning left Indianapolis. Teams that are considered to be interested include Denver, Arizona, Jacksonville, Cleveland and the Jets, among others.
But if Washington tags Cousins, this could get more complicated in a hurry.
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