It’s looking like the Washington Redksins are going to have some stiff competition to keep Kirk Cousins, if that’s what they intend on doing.
However, that isn’t a given according to a report by Jason Cole of Bleacher Report. According to sources within the Redskins organization, per Cole, the franchise is weighing its options regarding Cousins, including the option to trade him. In this scenario, the San Francisco 49ers or Cleveland Browns would be the likely trade partners.
The 49ers have already been mentioned as having interest in pursuing Cousins, even to the point of giving up their No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft to acquire him in a trade with Washington (more on that here).
Cleveland is a new player here, though the franchise has an obvious need and has the draft currency to make a power move (No. 1 and No. 12 overall).
There is potentially a stronger tie to the 49ers, however, assuming Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan does indeed take the head coaching job this February after Super Bowl LI. Shanahan coached Cousins for two years in Washington and is said to be highly enthusiastic about his game.
If Cousins does depart from Washington, it would hardly be shocking. An organization that always seems to be in transition, it hasn’t been able to secure a franchise passer for a long time.
Regardless of where he plays in 2017, Cousins is desperate to make the playoffs so he doesn’t have to make January trips to the mall with his wife. It seems like a long shot that he’d be able to live up to his postseason dreams if he lands in Cleveland or San Francisco, though perhaps the future would be bright for either team if he jumps on board.