Kirk Cousins to play under franchise tag again

The Oakland Raiders recently set the market for franchise quarterbacks when they signed Derek Carr to a new five-year contract worth up to $125 million.

In February, Washington used the exclusive franchise tag on Cousins, which guarantees the quarterback $23.94 million in 2017 but places 2018 into question. That would have been the second-most fully guaranteed money given to a QB behind Aaron Rodgers’ $54 million.

Allen added that the Redskins did not receive an offer from Cousins’ agent.

Now, they can’t come to an agreement with a player who could be a star for years in an era when the salary cap continues to rise. Allen may “remain hopeful” about a long-term deal, but that certainly doesn’t appear to be the case from where we’re standing.

Before evaluating the unlikely result that Cousins, Bell and Johnson will sign by Monday afternoon, let’s examine the deals signed by the fortunate foursome. Allen said the team’s offer was made May 2 and that he met with Cousins face to face over the weekend.

The Redskins last played a game 196 days ago; they will open the 2017 season against the Eagles at FedEx Field in 56 days.

$26 million AAV-This would make Cousins the highest-paid player in National Football League history.

The likeliest scenario from there: A trade or just a flat-out free-agent departure to the team Cousins really wants to join… in Spring 2018. He has passed for almost 9,000 yards over the past two seasons (4,917 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2016) and won an NFC East division along the way (in 2015). But if the Redskins wanted that, don’t you think it would be done already? If they can not, the negotiation window doesn’t open again until after the coming season. Washington can still use the franchise tag on him again if they choose to do so, but it would cost the Redskins over $34 million dollars.

Another option the Washington Redskins have is to issue the seldom used transition tag on Kirk Cousins.

Something happened at some point during his time in Washington that seems to have soured Cousins on the team forever.

There has been a positive, constructive tone to recent contract talks, per sources.

The Redskins will have an exclusive negotiating window with Cousins between the end of the season and the start of free agency in March.