Mike Jones of the Washington Post, citing people familiar with the situation, reports the Redskins and QB Kirk Cousins haven’t come any closer to an agreement on a long-term extension.
Jones mentions that there’s a “very real possibility” Washington could end up franchising Cousins for the second straight year, which could come with a 20 percent increase and pay him $23.94 million fully guaranteed.
According to Jones, tagging Cousins for a second time “would all but guarantee” he’ll reach the open market next year, considering that a third tag would cost Washington a staggering $34.5 million.
If Cousins were to test the free agent market next month, Jones says that the belief is that he could command something close to a four- or five-year deal worth $90 million – $110 million and include $50-$60 million guaranteed.
Interestingly enough, Jones believes the Redskins could target a quarterback in an early round of this year’s draft if the franchise Cousins.
Cousins, 28, is a former fourth-round pick of the Redskins back in 2012. He played out the final year of his four-year, $2,572,688 rookie contract that included a $472,688 signing bonus when Washington elected to use the franchise tag on Cousins that paid him $19.953 million fully guaranteed for the 2016 season.
Cousins is now in line to test the open market as an unrestricted free agent.
In 2016, Cousins has appeared in all 16 games and thrown for 4,917 yards while completing 67 percent of his passes to go along with 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 8 quarterback out of 36 qualifying players.
We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2017 Free Agents list.
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