Redskins and Kirk Cousins Halt Negotiations: Where Does Cousins Land?

The Washington Redskins have apparently halted contract talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins. ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the two sides are still far apart despite weeks of negotiations.

The team can still place the franchise tag on Cousins, which would eat about $20 million of their cap for next season. The team has approximately $6 million in cap space left, but the presumed release of former second overall pick Robert Griffin could free them of over $16 million for 2016. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson can also be released for a $4 million cap relief.

If Cousins and the Redskins can’t get a long term deal done and the team doesn’t have the space to make a one year commitment, where could Cousins end up?

Shawn: I don’t see him going anywhere. Contract negotiations may have stalled, but there’s still plenty of time to iron out a deal. Even if he hits the open market on March 9th, there isn’t a better situation for him outside of Washington. It’s smart for Cousins to stop talking at this time and hope the team caves and places the franchise tag on him. This may have worked in the past, but new general manager Scot McCloughan won’t budge. Once the deadline to tag players passes on March 1st, I expect talks to heat up and a deal to be worked out for Cousins to return to Washington.

Brady: Shawn makes a good point. It’s hard to see Washington going a completely different, drastic direction with the most important position on your football team. With so much time left to negotiate, I think both sides will eventually come together and agree to a long-term deal. If he does leave, however, I think Houston or Los Angeles are very real possibilities.

Ultimately, I expect Cousins will most likely stay in Washington and get a reasonable deal done for four years. The team can build off their playoff appearance from 2015 and compete in a division that was horrendous last year.