The Kirk Cousins Question

The Redskins find themselves in one of the most unique situations in the NFL.  In modern NFL free agency, high-end players typically never reach the point in which multiple teams can bid on their services.  Great players remain with their teams through their prime seasons before becoming available late in their careers.  Players like Ndamukong Suh made it to free agency because their previous teams made mistakes with the salary cap.

But the story with Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins and his team is different.  The Redskins find themselves in this situation with Cousins not because of a mistake made with their salary cap, but rather because of being overly cautious with a borderline franchise player.

Cousins followed up his 2016 season by becoming the first Redskins quarterback to ever through for 4,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.  Cousins did so with a patchwork offensive line and a group of receivers who were overhauled in the previous offseason.

The Redskins front office must now deal with three very real scenarios:

1. Franchise Kirk Cousins again at more than $34M for one season. 

2. Negotiate against their $34.6M franchise tag trying to get a new deal done with Cousins.

3. Lose Cousins in free agency to another team.

All of these scenarios would challenge the team moving forward in terms of managing the cap and competing in the NFC East.  But as everyone acknowledges in the NFL, trying to win games with sub par play at quarterback can be incredibly difficult.

Either way, Kirk Cousins is going to get his money from one team or another.  The question for the Redskins is whether it will be their money or another team's. 

***UPDATE 1/30/18***

The Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to a deal in principle that will send cornerback Kendall Fuller and a 3rd round pick to the Chiefs in exchange for quarterback Alex Smith.  Kirk Cousins now becomes the pivotal piece this offseason in terms of who gets the best quarterback available on the open market.  

Offensive Ranking: 16th

Defensive Ranking: 21st

Key Free Agents:  

Kirk Cousins - QB - A fourth straight 4,000 yard season for Cousins makes him the best QB to hit the open market in years.  Cousins 81 touchdown passes over the past three seasons ranks with the best in the NFL.

Zach Brown - LB - Dealt with multiple injuries late in the season yet finished as the Redskins leading tackler.  

Terrelle Pryor - WR - Had a poor season after signing a sizable one year deal in 2017.  Pryor caught just 20 passes in 2017 and was passed on the depth chart by multiple receivers.

Baushad Breeland - CB - Believes he can be a #1 cornerback for another team in the league.  Washington plans to let Breeland establish his value in free agency and see if they can keep him.

Trent Murphy - LB - a nine sack season in 2016 was followed by a disappointing 2017 that included injury and a four game suspension.  A perfect candidate for a one year deal.

Spencer Long - C - 31 game starter during his career but will miss on a payday this offseason due to only making six starts in 2017.

Potential Cuts/Restructures:  

Jordan Reed - TE - Injuries have turned Reed's availability on the field into an on-again off-again situation.  Reed has consistently missed games during his career but his production has never approached his 2015 levels.  Six career concussions hurts his value in trade.  Cap savings: $4.7M