Kirk Cousins will play the 2016 season under the $19.95 million franchise tag after he and the Washington Redskins were unable to reach an agreement on a long-term deal by Friday’s 4 p.m. deadline, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Since Cousins signed the franchise-tag tender on March 3 — just two days after the team designated it — it was apparent that the Redskins’ quarterback was content playing the 2016 season under the designation.
While discussing the situation publicly during the offseason, Cousins acknowledged he was comfortable having to “prove it every game and every year,” regardless of the length of his contract. Rather than accepting a long-term deal for less than what Cousins and his agent Mike McCartney deemed worthy, Cousins is betting on himself that he’ll build upon his strong performance in 2015.
The $19.95 million Cousins is guaranteed this season is a hefty increase from the $660,000 he made last year when he led the team to a 9-7 record and the playoffs after being named the starter following the preseason. Should Cousins improve on last year’s breakout campaign, he’ll position himself for a more lucrative offer next offseason.
The Redskins could use the franchise tag on Cousins again next season, though it would be approximately $24 million to do so a second time and the quarterback doesn’t have to sign it. If that situation does in fact play out and Cousins accepts the tag for a second season, he would be in line to earn nearly $44 million guaranteed over two seasons.
By refraining from a long-term deal this season, the Redskins also afford themselves the opportunity to evaluate Cousins on a greater sample size.
Throughout the offseason, general manager Scot McCloughan has maintained the Redskins’ strong desire to have Cousins in place as the team’s quarterback. Since Cousins signed the franchise tag, there was never any doubt he’d be the starter in 2016.
The question now is whether the Redskins will be able to keep Cousins in Washington beyond that, something McCloughan acknowledged he was optimistic about in May when discussing the situation.
“It’s a big contract, and it’s a position that’s very important to us, and he wants to be in an organization he feels very passionate about,” McCloughan said. “We’ll get something figured out. If it’s not by July 15, don’t worry. We’ll get something figured out.”
For now, figuring out what that “something” is will be put on hold until next offseason.
• Anthony Gulizia can be reached at agulizia@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.