Washington Redskins
This remains the likeliest scenario. Washington will almost certainly place the franchise tag on Cousins should the two sides not come to terms on a long-term contract between now and March. And while Cousins is expected to sign the tender, there’s a scenario in play here that suggests he could be traded.
That’s something we have not seen around the NFL in some time now. Teams don’t usually hand out franchise tags only to trade a player immediately after. Short of that happening, Cousins will not find himself on the open market as a free agent. Simply put, Washington can’t afford to lose him for nothing in return.
All this seems to be a clear indication that Cousins will return to the Redskins in 2017. Whether it’s as the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL or on a one-year deal remains to be seen.