Still “Internal Disagreement” Within Redskins About Kirk Cousins Value

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a source with knowledge of the situation, reports that there’s an “internal disagreement” about Kirk Cousins and what his actual value is.

Florio mentions that the disagreement within the Redskins’ organization actually dates back to 2015 when it first appeared that Cousins would be the better option to Robert Griffin III. Given that the Redskins parted with so much in terms of draft capital to trade up for RGIII, there were some members of the front office who weren’t willing to give up on RGIII and move forward with Cousins.

However, Florio says that others advocated for offering Cousins a contract that would pay him upwards of $10 million per year, which would have been viewed as a steal, considering that Washington paid him $19.95 million in 2016 and will pay him another $23.94 million this year under the franchise tag.

• Two GMs who spoke with Jason Cole of B/R believe some team will use a “HUGE” roster bonus as part of an agreement with Cousins next year to make it hard for the Redskins to match an offer if they use their transition tag on him.
• Cole says that the Redskins would have a tough time matching a $40 million pay out next year, which would leave Cousins in line to make $60 million over the first two years of a new contract.
• Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported yesterday that barring something unforeseen, there has been a “strong indication” that Cousins will play out the 2017 season under the franchise tag and both sides are okay with that.

There has been some talk that the Redskins could use their transition tag on him next year, which would cost them around $28 million and give them the ability to match any offer he receives. Of course, Washington could always try to hammer out a long-term deal next year or allow him to meet with interested teams as a free agent.

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.

The Redskins franchised him for the second year in a row this past February and he’s now set to make $23.94 million fully guaranteed for the 2017 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 a new deal for Cousins as the news is available.