Kirk Cousins should prepare in earnest for life outside the nation’s capital.
Washington Redskins senior vice president of player personnel Doug Williams told ESPN’s John Keim on Wednesday the team is unlikely to use the franchise tag on its quarterback this coming season. The impending decision paves the way for Cousins to hit free agency after six seasons with the team.
“I don’t think so,” Williams said when asked whether Washington would franchise Cousins. “But it’s not too late. But we haven’t really talked about that. The media had come up with those scenarios more than what we’ve talked about it because I can’t remember one meeting where we talked about the possibility of tagging him.”
The Redskins placed the franchise tag on Cousins the past two seasons, but their reported acquisition of Alex Smith from the Kansas City Chiefs via trade signaled their readiness to part ways with their starting QB. The team would have taken a $34.5 million salary-cap hit by franchising Cousins.
Williams also discussed why Washington pursued Smith after failing to sign Cousins to a long-term extension.
“Kirk has been here for six years and I’m sure there have been opportunities that deals could have been worked out,” Williams said. “It hasn’t worked out. As a team you’ve got to always put yourself in position where in case what might not happen. We can’t afford to let it come to the 12th hour and Kirk decide not to come back and leave us with the bag. We got to make decisions that are best for the organization and whatever decision we make or made, that’s what we’ve got to live with.”
Cousins has a long list of potential suitors, and he’s almost certain to land a lucrative contract with another team. But his departure will happen on the Redskins’ terms, for better or worse.
