What is the best way keep a player from leaving to join a competitor? Show him the money. On that note Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins may soon beat out Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr as the highest-paid passer in the league.
I hear Dan Snyder would rather make Kirk Cousins the highest paid QB in the NFL than lose him to Kyle Shanahan https://t.co/0bMQjr3Nle
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) July 3, 2017
This latest tidbit of news is huge. Washington’s owner appears willing to make Cousins the highest-paid quarterback in the league rather than lose him to his former head coach. Cousins is currently on target to play out the 2017 season under the franchise tender. That might not be the case when the July 17th deadline rolls around.
Washington has until July 17 to negotiate a long-term deal with Cousins. If no such deal is struck, the two parties cannot discuss a contract until after the 2017 season is over.
It was rumored earlier during free agency that Cousins was interested in playing out west with San Francisco 49ers head coach, Shanahan. At the same time, Shanahan was reportedly interested in recruiting Cousins.
Cousins and Washington still have a long ways to go before a deal is struck. It was recently speculated that Cousins could earn up to $30 million per year if he was to hit free agency in 2018, so clearly Washington will need to blow Cousins away on any potential long-term deal.
Right now, Carr is the highest paid at his position after signing a five-year $125 million deal. Washington might just put an end to that here very soon. We will have more news on Cousins’ situation as it breaks.