Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected to be one of the most talked-about free agents of the looming NFL offseason. Speaking on NBC Sports Washington, coach Jay Gruden noted that he wants Cousins back, although he did note that it might not happen.
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“Obviously you like to develop guys in your building and keep them here,” Gruden said. “But this day and age in pro football, it doesn’t always work out like that. We’re going to lose some quality free agents this year, next year, the year after, as is every other team. So we want the best for Kirk. And Kirk wants the best for himself and his family. Hopefully he’ll be with us.”
Gruden also complimented the quarterback’s potential, saying “he’s got a huge upside that he hasn’t even tapped into yet.”
Cousins’ completions, attempts, completion percentage, and total yards are all down from what they were a season ago. With that said, his 2017 passer rating (98.5) is slightly higher than 2016’s (97.2). That can be largely attributed to the fact that Cousins already has more touchdown passes in 2017 (27) than 2016 (25). Additionally, if he throws fewer than two interceptions in Week 17, he’ll improve on that total, as well.
A number of NFL teams — including some that could qualify for the postseason — are rather bare under center. So, Cousins will certainly be a highly sought after free agent. The 2017 season has been his second straight playing under the franchise tag. If the Redskins go the same route in 2018, it will cost them upwards of $35 million.