“Huge Divide” Exists In Contract Talks Between Redskins & Kirk Cousins

Jason Cole of B/R reports that contract talks between the Redskins and QB Kirk Cousins are off to a rough start and a “huge divide” exists between the two parties.

According to Cole, Washington would like to pay their quarterback between $16-$18 million per year. However, Cousins is willing to gamble on himself in 2016 and play out the year under the franchise tag, which would pay him close to $20 million guaranteed.

Washington has until March 1 to use their tag on Cousins, or allow him to test the open market.

Adam Schefter doubled down on his report Wednesday that the Redskins and Cousins have broken off contract talks.

Schefter admits that the two parties are still in contact with one another, but there isn’t much for them to discuss right now.

According to Schefter, there’s nothing contentious between Washington and Cousins. However, there won’t be an agreement on a long-term deal now or anytime soon.

All signs continue to point to the Redskins franchising Cousins in the coming weeks.

Cousins, 27, played out the final year of his four-year, $2,572,688 rookie contract that included a $472,688 signing bonus and is now considered to be the best available quarterback in this year’s free agent market.

In 2015, Cousins threw for 4,166 yards while completing 69.8 percent of his passes to go along with 29  touchdowns and 11 interceptions over the course of 16 games. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 16 quarterback out of 37 qualifying players.

We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2016 Free Agents list.