When ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on Friday that Washington would use either the franchise or transition tag on quarterback Kirk Cousins, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk refuted that report, suggesting no decision has been made and adding that the team was more likely than not to avoid tagging Cousins. Three days later though, Schefter is sticking to his initial story, tweeting again that Washington will tag Cousins before Tuesday’s deadline.
Washington is not done discussing a long-term deal with Cousins yet, however, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post, who tweets that the two sides will continue to talk right up until the March 1st deadline. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) echoes that report, but both reporters view a tag as the most probable scenario, with Rapoport suggesting the transition tag might be the likeliest outcome.
As we wait to see what happens with Cousins and Washington, here’s the latest out of D.C., including more on the free agent quarterback:
- John Keim of ESPN.com breaks down the risks and benefits of using the franchise or transition tag on Cousins. Using the transition tag would save a couple million dollars, but would result in no compensation if Cousins signs with an offer sheet elsewhere and Washington decides not to match it. While that approach may seem risky, Keim notes that if the team goes that direction, it would be based on extensive market research.
- Could Washington be a potential destination for free agent tight end Vernon Davis? As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes, Davis appears unlikely to re-sign with the Broncos, and Washington is worth keeping an eye on since GM Scot McCloughan drafted the veteran tight end during his time in San Francisco.
- Given his suspension history and the fact that Washington holds the right of first refusal on him, pass rusher Junior Galette may have a hard time landing an offer sheet from another team, says Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (all Twitter links). In La Canfora’s view, there are enough factors working against Galette that it’ll be hard for him to get big-time money, or more than a one-year offer. The 27-year-old will also be working with new representation, having recently fired his agent.
- In case you missed it: We previewed Washington’s offseason last week.
I didn’t understand the PFT report when it came out. Obviously PFT and Schefter have different sources here, but it just makes no sense for the team to not tag Cousins and risk starting back at square one. He has all the leverage, Washington knows it, and the tag is what happens in those types of scenarios.