Washington has decided to franchise tag quarterback Kirk Cousins for the second straight year, making him the first quarterback to ever be placed under a franchise tag for two consecutive years.
Washington using its lone franchise tag on Cousins is essentially a way of getting around having to figure out a new deal just yet. However, he seems happy with the franchise tag, which will lock him into a one-year, fully-guaranteed deal.
“I want to be where I’m wanted and if they tag mean that tells you that you’re wanted,” Cousins told ESPN 980. “They are not going to tag you or commit to you if they don’t want you. So if they tag me then that’s great and it means they want me back. Whether I sign a five year deal or a one year franchise tag, I’m going to feel like I’m on a one year deal every year and have to prove myself week in and week out. If they tag me great it looks like I’m wanted. If they don’t then that sends a strong message too and lets go look at our options.”
While this is seemingly good news for Cousins as he awaits a long-term deal, either in Washington or elsewhere, it’s not great news for Washington. Cousins will reportedly only accept a trade to the San Francisco 49ers, so Washington is limited if it tries to trade him under the franchise tag. The team hasn’t been able to decide what direction it wants to go in long-term, so it just keeps wasting a ton of money by signing Cousins to these temporary deals. Cousins has the upper-hand, because he could make a lot of money on the open market. So rather than tie him up or let him go, Washington is just wasting money away by putting off the decision. The sides have until July 15
Former NFL executive Joe Banner told the Washington Post, “It’s also rare for a player to be as completely in control. I’ve never seen a negotiation where a player was this completely in control of a negotiation as Cousins is here.”
The sides still have until July 15 to come up with a long-term deal.