The reality of the situation continues to be apparent: It’s hard to see the marriage between Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins lasting beyond 2017. His price tag remains high; their love for him has a financial ceiling. And neither side appears willing to budge from its stance.
This really isn’t a case of both sides wanting to break away from each other. According to multiple people, Cousins likes playing in Washington. According to multiple people in the organization, the team truly likes Cousins. But the leverage Cousins enjoys isn’t about to change, and the Redskins clearly aren’t prepared to pay him what he thinks he can get.
That’s why with all the options as to what can happen if he’s tagged by Wednesday’s deadline, one has a higher percentage of happening: a trade. The NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said last week that he thought there was a better chance that Cousins would be traded than that he would return. It’s hard to argue against that, and some close to Cousins say that’s what the Redskins want to do anyway, knowing that signing him to a long-term deal will be difficult. It may even be impossible, given their different positions on what his ability is worth.
As of now, some in his camp view any deal reached at the July 15 deadline as an impossibility. It certainly would take an increased offer by Washington. I don’t know that this is a universal opinion in Cousins’ camp, but the point is that based on the Redskins’ actions to date, there’s no reason to believe their offer will increase that much. They clearly view him as good, not great. And there’s no reason for Cousins to lower what he believes he should get.
There’s also the matter of past slights still bugging Cousins, including an initial offer last offseason of $12 million per year with low guarantees. It was bad at the time; it’s ridiculous now. Had the Redskins given him $18 million per year – before the Brock Osweiler deal with Houston – with solid guarantees, then there’s a good chance he would have signed (but impossible to truly know). That deal would look mighty good now.
The Redskins’ problem is that there’s only one team Cousins will sign with right now, according to one source: San Francisco. So Washington doesn’t have much bargaining power with other teams. This isn’t just about Cousins maximizing his financial value; it’s about putting himself in the best position. Reuniting with a coach (Kyle Shanahan) who loves you in an offense you love? That’s a win-win for Cousins. But it’s a tough way for the Redskins to maximize his trade value on the market.
Therefore, with a trade, the Redskins can get what they can for a player they’ll lose in a year anyway. Of course, if Cousins plays under the tag, he’s gambling that San Francisco – a preferred destination with Shanahan in charge – still will need a quarterback next year. But with a six-year contract, Shanahan can afford to wait. Use the picks this year on other spots knowing the quarterbacks will arrive in 2018.
It’s hard to say the Redskins definitely will trade him; it’s not hard to say they will try. With the combine starting this week – and agents in touch with teams – Cousins and his side should have a good sense of what San Francisco might do. If he signs the franchise tag right away, or within a few days, it likely means he knows what will – or won’t – happen. Cousins also knows a year from now he’ll be free.
The transition tag idea for 2018 at around $28 million has been floated. It’s not realistic. So if Cousins leaves after 2017, then the Redskins would get a third-round compensatory pick in 2019. If they can get a good return from the 49ers this offseason, it’s hard to imagine them saying no. Quite a bit of work remains for this situation to be resolved, whether via trade or anything else. But for the marriage to continue, the first step would be a willingness on both sides to alter their position.
Round 1: April 27, 8 p.m. ET
Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals have plenty of positions they need to bolster, but none is more important than pass-catchers and cover corners. Read the post here.
Atlanta Falcons: Although the Falcons had much better success pressuring quarterbacks this past season, the defensive line still needs an upgrade. Read the post here.
Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens haven’t taken a pass-rusher in the first round since Terrell Suggs in 2003 and could look at Tennessee’s Derek Barnett. Read the post here.
Buffalo Bills: An argument can be made that quarterback should still be a top need for the Bills even if Tyrod Taylor is still on the team. Read the post here.
Carolina Panthers: The Panthers are solid at defensive tackle, so that leaves an every-down defensive end and running back as top targets. Read the post here.
Chicago Bears: Chicago is ready to move in a different direction from Jay Cutler, so the Bears have to get serious about drafting a quarterback. Read the post here.
Cincinnati Bengals: Some of the Bengals’ defensive veterans have reached an age where the team needs to look for upgrades. Read the post here.
Cleveland Browns: The team’s perpetual combine examination of quarterbacks enters phase 7,192, as the Browns will interview the top candidates. Read the post here.
Dallas Cowboys: It can be argued that the Cowboys need help in some form at every position other than running back. But the focus has to be on defense. Read the post here.
Denver Broncos: The offensive front continues to vex the Broncos, and this is the third consecutive offseason they will conduct a makeover there. Read the post here.
Detroit Lions: Needing to upgrade their pass rush and boost the running game, the Lions are likely to eye linemen on both sides of the ball and linebackers. Read the post here.
Green Bay Packers: The Packers have big holes despite finishing a win away from the Super Bowl; they probably will address defense first, but running back is possible. Read the post here.
Houston Texans: Uncertainty at quarterback and holes in the offensive line make those the obvious areas to watch for the Texans. Read the post here.
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts’ aging defensive front was pushed around last season, making it a priority for new general manager Chris Ballard to find upgrades. Read the post here.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Offensive line is the Jaguars’ top priority this offseason, but defensive end and safety are among other positions they could address in the draft. Read the post here.
Kansas City Chiefs: Even if Jamaal Charles plays in 2017, the Chiefs can’t go through another season with that position not as strong as it should be. Read the post here.
Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers could upgrade by adding an offensive lineman to protect Philip Rivers or another receiver for Rivers to target. Read the post here.
Los Angeles Rams: Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley is one player the Rams may keep an eye on at the combine as they look to improve their secondary. Read the post here.
Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins should be looking closely at linebackers and offensive line help; Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis could be one solution. Read the post here.
Minnesota Vikings: While the Vikings will take a best-player-available approach at the draft, they’ll have a close eye on O-linemen and a deep running back class at the combine. Read the post here.
New England Patriots: Martellus Bennett’s solid season could mean a payday elsewhere. Rob Gronkowski is coming off back surgery. So the Patriots need to look at tight ends. Read the post here.
New Orleans Saints: The Saints have needs at every level of their defense, and they should have good options for adding some help with the No. 11 pick. Read the post here.
New York Giants: The Giants revamped their defense last offseason. Now it’s time to add playmakers on offense, and a vertical threat at tight end would help. Read the post here.
New York Jets: The Jets, who have one of the most talent-deficient rosters in the NFL, will have their choice of which need to address with the sixth pick. Read the post here.
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders need to find somebody who can help bring pressure on the quarterback — be it through the pass rush or top-notch downfield coverage. Read the post here.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles are desperate for cornerbacks with both 2016 starters gone; receivers for QB Carson Wentz also will be a priority. Read the post here.
Pittsburgh Steelers: An injection of speed off the edge would elevate an already solid Pittsburgh defense. Read the post here.
Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks know they have to do a better job of protecting Russell Wilson, so offensive tackle is a big need. Read the post here.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs could use help at receiver, tight end and running back to continue on their upward trajectory. Read the post here.
Tennessee Titans: Finding immediate help at cornerback and receiver is a must for the Titans. Read the post here.
Washington Redskins: The defensive line is a priority, as the Redskins lack high-level young talent to build around. Read the post here.
