After the Redskins acquired Alex Smith and signed him to an extension, rumors and speculation as to where Kirk Cousins — who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March — would sign started to ramp up. The Broncos were most recently reported to be the frontrunners for Cousins’ services, but if Denver (or any other team) wants him, they may have to pony up more than cash. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, Washington might still put the franchise tag on Cousins and then trade him to the highest bidder.
Mike Jones of USA Today confirms (via Twitter) that the Redskins have indeed had internal discussions about going this route. Of course, Cousins could still have a major say in where he ends up, even if he does not become a true unrestricted free agent. For instance, Cousins could delay signing the franchise tender for weeks or months, thereby forcing Washington to carry the $34.5MM franchise tag number against its salary cap. Cousins cannot be traded if he does not sign the tender.
Similarly, Cousins could tell any potential trade partner that he is unwilling to sign a long-term deal with that club, which would obviously make that potential partner wary of surrendering draft picks to acquire the 29-year-old passer. Also, if the Redskins were to put the tag on Cousins only to remove it later, they would lose the right to recover a 2019 compensatory pick, which they would get if Cousins were able to leave right away as a free agent.
In any event, the already drawn-out Cousins saga just got another twist. Teams can begin designating franchise players on February 20.
How hilarious would it be if no other team wanted to pay and this possible move backfired on the Redskins… just let the guy sign with the team he wants to… at this point it almost feels like they are just doing this to mess with Cousins… poor guy, haha… Dan Snyder will NOT be denied!
I believe they he would become an unrestricted free agent again on July 15th when the redskin’s would rescind their franchise tag if no one made an offer
He would, but most of the teams that would’ve been interested in him most likely would have moved on to different options. So at the very least, it would limit Cousins’ market.
Correct, it would severely limit the market for Cousins. Teams will be set at QB by then, and most cap money will have already been spent.
yeah but if the skins do that they will not receive a draft pick for losing Cousins in free agency
If the Redskins do tag Cousins, Cousins should wait out as long as possible to sign his franchise tag to put the Redskins in a bad spot salary cap wise. The money he’d be getting is a huge sum (and likely more than he would get in a single year in a new contract), but getting franchised also limits his long-term security. To some degree, it’ll also limit his options as all the teams that would’ve been interested in him in free agency won’t be interested in him in a trade. The Redskins haven’t really done any favors for Cousins the past two years, and they’ve acted petty at times, so this could be a way for Cousins to stick it to Dan Snyder one final time.
I thought this was going to happen the minute the Smith trade went down. I think if it happens Cousins will want to sign the tender immediately and ask the Skins for the ability to negotiate long-term deals with teams. I doubt the Skins will be asking for a ton but my guess is they want a 2nd round pick and a player on a rookie deal (basically a tad more than what they gave up for Smith).
Cousins obviously doesn’t want to do the Skins any favors but it isn’t like he has demonstrated the past two seasons he wants to be with them long-term. His refusal go try to work out a deal prior to March forced the Skins hand and now he will have to deal with the fallout from that decision, much like the Skins had to deal with the fallout from treating him poorly a few years ago.
Take the 34.5M and rest on the bench in a skin’s uniform. It’s like 60% of what he’s getting in guaranteed money in any LT deal.
He could but he loses most of his leverage if he signs the tender right away. He still has some leverage as a team isn’t going to give up a lot without some assurance that he’ll sign a long term contract. But if the process drags out, the Redskins could take a lesser offer (just to get something since they’ll lose any right to a compensatory pick) and send him to a team that Cousins might not want to play for. You’re right about the salary (as most projections I’ve seen have a long term deal for Cousins having somewhere around $70m guaranteed) but still comes down to security. Its a big reason why he turned down the Redskins offer last year as I think the proposed deal offered a guarantee less than or roughly equal to the value of last year and this year’s franchise tags.
I’d continue to bet on myself. If Alex Smith can get 4/94 at age 33, why not go year to year one more time. The risk is only if he has a career ending injury. If he plays bad, he’ll still get paid by someone given his track record. In all likelihood, hell sign the same contract a year from now that he’s getting today.
Why in the world does anyone think Cousins is worth that much? What has he done so great? Lead a team to a 9-7 record? Wow! Throw money at him, quick!
You aren’t wrong, but that would be 8 more wins than the Browns had in the past 2 years.
From my perspective he’s never been on a particularly talented team, subpar defenses, really average WRs, and mostly inconsistent running game. If he went somewhere like Jacksonville or Minnesota I think he’d lead those teams way better than anyone they’ve had in quite a while.
Browns fan. I would gladly pay him $30/yr for the first couple years of the contract.
only $30 per year….
(I know what you meant, but it was just too funny to pass up…)
I know it’s a business and the Skins are doing everything they can to improve their team but if I was a player and saw this entire circus with Cousins it would make me weary of going there. There’s just not enough reason to continue to drag this out considering how bad this all looks.
Maybe he could just retire and then come out and sign with who ever he wants.
Drama drama drama in Wash, it’s Mr Snyders disfunctional way of doing things, from RG3 to Capt Kirk. It’s his toy, and he can screw it as much as he likes!
I believe the skins would still hold his rights
Capt. Kirk deserves whatever drama and inconvenience he gets for holding the redskins hostage for the past few years. He is not a winner. He is good when it comes to completion percent (safe pass verses taking the shot) and yards. Weak TD numbers only about 2:1 TD to INT ratio. Not worth the money he is asking for. Has zero escapability and no heart anymore. I say good riddance to him and have fun holding another team hostage with mediocre stats.
Finally! Someone with some sense. Agree 100%
2-1 TD interception with mediocre weapons and 3 straight 4,000 yard seasons. I’m not sure what football you guys have been watching but he’s better than half the starters in this league.
I am sick to my stomach over the smith trade. Cousins is our man. Good QBs are so hard to come by. He knows the coaches,the players and the way the Team works. Why do we continue to start over with a new QB to learn the system? Plus I just bought a Cousins Jersey with all sewn on letters and numbers.