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Report: Kirk Cousins not likely to sign long-term deal with Redskins

Kirk Cousins Redskins

The Washington Redskins and Kirk Cousins have 17 days to reach a long-term contract agreement. In an interview on ESPN 980, Adam Schefter expressed doubt that the two sides will come to an agreement, saying that negotiations are “too tricky.”

Cousins is more likely to bet on himself.

“But again, as we’ve talked about, for a multitude of reasons, how do you establish his value when I think there would be teams willing to pay him if he were on the open market today more than Washington feels like it needs to pay him” Schefter said, via Scott Allen, Washington Post. “And if he were to hit the free agent market this offseason, I think a team like the Cleveland Browns would’ve given him $20 million a year, maybe more.”

This may seem like a gamble. After all, Cousins could have a bad year. If that happens, his value diminishes, right?

Theoretically it could. But nothing about the NFL’s salary structure indicates that it will work that way. Brock Osweiler, with about one-half season to his credit, just got a huge contract from the Houston Texans.

“Next offseason, when the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns and the Arizona Cardinals need a quarterback, they’re going to pay [Cousins] well north of what the Texans paid Osweiler,” Schefter said.

Also last offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Sam Bradford to a two-year, $35 million deal. After that, Philly signed Chase Daniel to a three-year, $21 million deal to back up Bradford. That all happened before the Eagles traded up to the No. 2 pick and drafted another quarterback, Carson Wentz.

So, plenty of quarterbacks less proven than Cousins have been given huge deals. This may seem like Cousins is gambling on himself, and to an extent, he is. But in reality, the risk is minimal. If he takes Washington’s franchise tag, Cousins will get paid big money next season. And after all, $20 million for one season’s work isn’t too shabby, either.

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