Kirk Cousins doesn’t believe Redskins will trade him
The Washington Redskins are not going to win the Super Bowl next year. They took some significant steps back this offseason when they allowed DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Chris Baker to leave in free agency. The team was able to bring in Terrelle Pryor on a one-year deal, but he’s not the talent Jackson is.
In addition, Washington again failed to come to terms on a deal with Kirk Cousins, instead having to slap the franchise tag on their sixth-year quarterback. Cousins will now earn $24 million guaranteed in 2017, making one of the highest salaries for a single season in NFL history.
With the lack of a long-term deal and the July 15 deadline looming, many believe the Redskins might try to trade Cousins before the NFL Draft on April 27 and get some value for him. Instead, Cousins told ESPN that he does not expect to be dealt.
“I haven’t heard anything. I’m not expecting anything to happen,” Cousins said on NFL Live Tuesday. “And I’m looking forward to getting back to work with my teammates.”
Cousins also added that playing on the one-0year tag doesn’t bother him. This doesn’t come as a shock, considering he did it last year and threw for 4,917 yards and 27 touchdowns, once again leading an average team to nine wins.
“The team would need to make that decision and say that this is a guy we’re going to commit to in the long haul,” Cousins said on the show. “I’m very comfortable playing under the franchise tag.”
If Washington doesn’t believe it can land Cousins for the long haul, then the time is now to move on. The Redskins need to find a way to get some value for Cousins, whether that means yards and touchdowns for them, or draft picks that can land the next signal-caller in the nation’s capital.
An obvious fit would be the San Francisco 49ers, who are currently rolling with Brian Hoyer and Mat Barkley. The Redskins could ask for the second-overall pick, San Francisco’s first-round pick in 2018 and some other secondary selections. It would be the perfect fit for Cousins, who then goes back to play with his old offensive coordinator and current 49ers head coach, Kyle Shanahan.
Washington has to figure this out and fast. Waiting and then getting nothing done with Cousins by July 15 would make this a lame duck year for a team that can’t afford to ask for more good will from the fans. If Cousins isn’t coming back in 2018, the time is now to make a move and start selling the future.
