Although reports of a potential trade being on the table have surfaced in recent weeks, Jay Gruden expects Kirk Cousins to be back with the Redskins in 2017. “I totally anticipate him coming back to the Washington Redskins,” Gruden said, via JP Finlay of CSNMidAtlantic.com. Gruden said he’s texted back and forth with Cousins this offseason. Washington is in a similar situation with its starting quarterback compared to last year, although the franchise tag price will escalate to $23.94MM due to the team having used this on its passer in 2016. Cousins is thought to be targeting that $23.94MM threshold as an AAV goal, which would make him the third-highest-paid quarterback in the league on a per-year basis. Washington is projected to hold just more than $60MM in cap space — prior to any action on Cousins, of course.
Here’s more regarding the player who may soon become the Redskins’ franchise QB, along with more coming out of Washington.
- A scenario in which the Redskins use the tag and then trade Cousins would cost the 49ers — mentioned as one of the prospective suitors, especially if former Washington OC Kyle Shanahan takes the HC job as expected — more than the No. 2 overall pick, Mike Jones of the Washington Post writes. Considering the Redskins’ run of quarterbacks since their 1991 Super Bowl title, and even the team’s second and third Super Bowl championships came with second-tier veterans at quarterback, Jones argues Cousins is a known commodity compared to the alternative of attempting a reboot without such a passer. Regardless, if the team pursued that, Washington should be able to ask for a first-, a second-, and possibly a third-round pick, Jones writes.
- Gruden having to go with may his third or fourth choice in the form of Greg Manusky as DC puts his fate in Washington in the coordinator’s hands to a degree, Rich Tandler of CSNMidAtlantic.com notes. Tandler expects Gruden to be on the hot seat entering 2017 thanks to a seven-loss 2015 season being his high-water mark in three years. The OC behind Washington’s No. 3-ranked offense is now in Los Angeles, and Gruden will be counting on Manusky — who takes command of a 28th-ranked defense — and GM Scot McGloughan to provide defensive improvement and thus a long-term path for him in D.C. Cousins figures to factor into this equation, too.
- Josh Doctson has not progressed especially well in his recovery from the Achilles’ tendon injuries that hijacked his rookie season, Jones reports. Gruden said the wideout hasn’t received clearance to run without restrictions but added the team will take it slow with its 2016 first-rounder. Doctson should be needed this season, with the Redskins likely to lose at least one, and possibly both, of their veteran duo of Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson in free agency.
- Jordan Reed won’t need offseason shoulder surgery after seeing a separated shoulder sideline him late in the season, Gruden said (via Jones).
Cousins as the 3rd highest paid QB in the league? You must be kidding? No way does he deserve that much $$$……..especially since he’s sitting at home watching the games right now.
Unfortunately, he will probable get that , but Rogers, Bree’s, Brady, all make more and give it a few years and quit a few will be ahead of this figure. Far too many athletes cashing in and not taking there team to the promised land. And last time I checked football is a team game … not just the QB has to bring his A game to win it all
Brady doesn’t make more at all
The fact that he’s at home doesn’t fall I his hands. He led one of the top offenses in the league without having a running game to speak of. The reason he is at home falls in the hands of a horrible defense
Whoever downvoted this is a moron.
Is it just me or does anyone else think that Kirk is being just a tad greedy and more then just a little selfish?? Don’t get me wrong, he will be paid but to hold the team hostage for a payday that u know u haven’t earned just because u can, well to me that’s not thinking of the team, that’s totally selfish. This team has a tremendous amount of need on the defensive side of the ball but this guy thinks that he should be paid like Rogers or Brady or any of the other top tier QBs that have earned it. He wants to be paid more than Russell Wilson who has been to 2 superbowls and won one. Kirk has been to one post season game and lost, badly or should I say looked really bad while losing his one and only post season appearance. He wants to eat up 1/3 of the cap space on his dream of being one of the highest paid QB’s. Most competitors, who r not selfish dream of championships, Kirk’s dream is about money.
Not necessarily, if you performed well at your job wouldn’t you want the biggest payday you could get? Careers in most cases are short… cash in while you can, a blown out knee turns him into an RG3 journeyman…
Cowboys fan, he lit us up this year. I think he should go to afc
Greedy? He earned a big pay day…if Brick Tossweiler can get one so should Kirk