UPDATE (5:50 p.m. ET): The Washington Redskins announced Tuesday that they’ve placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on quarterback Kirk Cousins.
ORIGINAL STORY: Kirk Cousins will be under center in Washington for at least one more season.
The Washington Redskins have informed the quarterback that they will be placing the franchise tag on him, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday.
The decision certainly benefits Cousins in the short term. With the franchise designation, the 27-year-old will make just under $20 million in 2016, per NFL.com.
The sides had been working on a new contract, but not enough progress was made and talks reportedly were cut off in mid-February. Instead of letting Cousins hit the open market next week, the Redskins now have him for at least one more season and could still sign him to a long-term contract extension.
Cousins had a breakout season in 2015. The Michigan State product started all 16 games for Washington, beating out former No. 2 overall draft pick Robert Griffin III for the starting job.
Cousins completed a league-best 69.8 percent of his passes for 4,166 yards while throwing 29 touchdown passes to 11 interceptions.
Thumbnail photo via Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports Images
