NFL Notes: Kirk Cousins, 49ers, Chargers, Seahawks

Kirk Cousins

Adam Schefter mentions that the 49ers will pursue Kirk Cousins in free agency as hard as they did Kyle Shanahan if the Redskins don’t sign him to an extension or use their franchise tag on him.

According to Schefter, it’s possible that San Francisco could still pursue Cousins even if Washington franchises in him in the coming months and possibly include their No. 2 overall pick.

Schefter says that Cousins has more leverage and power in contract talks with the Redskins than any player in the NFL has with their respective team and using the franchise tag on Cousins again in 2017 would create an even tougher situation for Washington, as franchising him for a third time would run them $34.48 million.

Interestingly enough, Schefter wonders if the Rams could have some interest in Cousins now that they’ve hired former Redskins OC Sean McVay, who has worked directly with Cousins. Of course, the Rams would have to be out on No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff, but Schefter says it’s not completely out of the question, depending on what happens in the coming months.

49ers

• Mike Silver now regards Vikings executive George Paton as the favorite for 49ers’ GM job following the news that Packers director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst has withdrawn his name from the search.
• Charles Robinson mentions that it’s getting to the point where Mike Shanahan may have to be a realistic option for the 49ers’ GM job.

Chargers

According to Adam Schefter, NFL executives and owner are angered by the Chargers’ decision to move the team to Los Angeles.

A league source tells Schefter that the NFL has been “beside itself” following the news of the team’s relocation.

“There are a ton of owners very upset that [the Chargers] moved,” a source tells Schefter while adding that the league wants the Chargers to move back to San Diego, even though no one believes that possibility is realistic at all.

Schefter adds that some owners are hoping Chargers chairman Dean Spanos will wake up one morning soon and realize the situation has been “bungled so bad” and instead keep the team in San Diego.

Seahawks

Chris Mortensen points out that Seahawks CB Richard Sherman missed a Wednesday practice that was listed as “not injury related” and later missed one or more practices every week from that point on with the same “not injury related” being listed on the injury report.

This comes after the news that the Seahawks could lose a second-round pick for not disclosing what HC Pete Carroll referred to as a “significant” MCL injury he played through this season.

Carroll explained to reporters that they didn’t list Sherman’s injury because “he never missed anything” due to his knee injury and still managed to play close to 98 percent of the team’s snaps this year.

Mortensen says that whether this is fair or now, the NFL’s injury policy considers this to be a clear violation and has prompted the league to look into the matter.

Seattle could lose a second-round pick but this would be in place of the fifth-round selection they lost for repeat OTA violations.