Update:
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a source with knowledge of the dynamics, reports that the Redskins would need to be “blown away” in order to trade QB Kirk Cousins this offseason.
According to Florio, Redskins president Bruce Allen is specifically looking for haul somewhat similar to what they gave up to get Robert Griffin III years ago.
Washington sent the Rams three first-round picks and a second-round selection to trade up and draft RGIII. Florio admits that the Redskins won’t get three first-round picks for Cousins, but they have no plans to simply give him way either.
Florio makes a good point in that the Redskins are reluctant to pay Cousins franchise-quarterback money, but are still looking for a franchise-quarterback haul in return for him.
For what it’s worth, I can’t see either the 49ers or Browns trading multiple first-round picks for Cousins when they would still need to sign him to a massive contract extension. Plus, these teams are well aware of the fact that Cousins is likely going to be available as a free agent next year.
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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Redskins have ultimately decided to not trade QB Kirk Cousins to another team now that they’ve placed the exclusive franchise tag on him.
“He is not going anywhere,” Rapoport said. “…They decided they’re not going to trade him to the San Francisco 49ers. They decided they’re not going to trade him anywhere. He’s going to be their quarterback for the next year and that is that.“The exclusive tag prevents other teams from negotiating with him during free agency, but the Redskins are still fully able to trade him to another team and give him permission to speak to a team about a long-term extension.
Reports from the past few weeks have mentioned that the Redskins could discuss a potential tag-and-trade with teams like the 49ers and Browns at this week’s Scouting Combine. However, Rapoport makes it clear that the Redskins plan to have him in place as their quarterback for the 2017 season.
The exclusive tag prevents other teams from negotiating with him during free agency, but the Redskins are still able to trade him to another team and even give him permission to discuss a long-term extension with another club.
The franchise tag will run the Redskins $23.94 million fully guaranteed for the 2017 season, but won’t prevent them from working on a long-term agreement in the coming months. Although, given that this is the second time Cousins has been tagged, it effectively prevents him from franchised a third time, as it would cost the Redskins a staggering amount of money to do so.
Cousins is expected to sign his tender at some point in the near future.
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.
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’ll have more regarding the Redskins and Cousins as the news is available.
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