Washington Redskins: Kirk Cousins’ deal looking less likely than ever

The Washington Redskins have approximately two weeks to come to an agreement with quarterback Kirk Cousins or they’ll be back at square one.

Will the Washington Redskins and quarterback Kirk Cousins finally come to a long-term agreement before the league-mandated deadline on July 17? After months of flirting from the Redskins, whether it was team president Bruce Allen, owner Daniel Snyder or recently promoted executive Doug Williams, the Redskins still have yet to make Cousins an offer that would cause him to sweat.

The question now becomes, will that offer even come?

According to some league sources, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter, a deal isn’t likely to happen by the deadline. So, after all the recent optimism coming from Washington’s side, and even from Cousins, how are we at this point?

Perhaps Washington is planning on swooping in at the last minute and giving Cousins a huge deal that would — at least temporarily — make him the league’s highest-paid player with a deal chock full of guaranteed cash. Other than that, Cousins doesn’t really have the incentive to sign anything less than a deal full of guaranteed money. Remember, last year he earned just under $20 million in his first season under the franchise tag. In 2017, Cousins is set to reel in a cool $24 million under the second franchise tag.

And with Allen saying publicly the Redskins held an option next year on Cousins, meaning a third and final franchise tag that would cost around $35 million, or a transition tag that would cost $28 million, Cousins can cut off negotiations with Washington and walk away completely after the 2018 season after earning well over $70 million in just three seasons because of Allen’s blunders and lack of foresight.

More from NFL Spin Zone

• Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
• Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
• Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
• Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
• Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens

Is this where we are headed?

For Cousins, it makes financial sense to wait things out. Whether or not he truly wants to be in Washington will eventually be his call if he doesn’t sign a deal with the Redskins now. However, most players want the security that comes with a long-term contract. Cousins may decide he likes where he’s at and is comfortable with the players around him. After all, the Redskins have a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball and a head coach, Jay Gruden, that Cousins has a solid relationship with.

The lack of actual numbers coming from these negotiations shouldn’t alarm fans too much. Most negotiations go on behind closed doors and agreements are reached when fans and the media didn’t even know they were taking place. These negotiations, though, are different. Many sources close to the team have said on numerous occasions that while Cousins’ agent Mike McCartney and the Redskins have spoken, they’ve yet to enter prolonged negotiations. That’s a definite concern.

If a deal was important to both sides, they’d be meeting frequently trying to come to an agreement. Instead, what we are left with is Washington’s last offer, which came sometime before the draft, which averaged around $20 million per year with low guarantees, according to The Washington Post. The Redskins knew that was a low-ball offer because Cousins’ representation has repeatedly said negotiations will begin with the second franchise-tag number.

Redskins’ fans should probably be prepared for another year of Cousins playing on the franchise tag. While some observers, such as CBS’ Jason La Canfora, believe a deal will happen, others, like Schefter and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, are less certain. 

Charley Casserly, a former Redskins general manager, has his doubts about a deal and it’s all in the numbers. Casserly thinks the agent will have Cousins wait this out and force the Redskins to continue applying the franchise tag.

Snyder’s reported involvement this offseason gave some hope that a deal was possible. After all, Snyder has the ultimate power to offer an absurd amount of money to keep Cousins in the fold.

It’s likely Snyder’s involvement is to show Cousins he’s loved and appreciated. After all, Cousins has stated over and over he wants to be where he is wanted. Snyder was a Robert Griffin guy and that clearly rubbed Cousins the wrong way. Since Griffin flamed out, Snyder has finally come around on Cousins. But is it too late for the quarterback?

No matter what Snyder has told Cousins, he isn’t taking a hometown discount to stay in Washington. And no matter how many times Washington officials say Cousins isn’t a top-five quarterback, it isn’t changing things.

No, Cousins isn’t Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady, but he’s about to be paid more than either of them because he has all the leverage. No player in NFL history, thanks to two franchise tags, possesses the leverage Cousins has over the Redskins. And expect him to keep using it.

Ultimately, can Snyder swallow his pride and offer Cousins a deal with lots of guaranteed money that compares favorably in average annual value to the deal Derek Carr just signed? Or will Washington once again offer the quarterback a deal below the current franchise-tag number?

If the Redskins truly want their quarterback on a long-term deal it’s past time to put their money where their mouth is. If not, Cousins will simply cut off negotiations, have another big season and sit back and wait on another tag next year.

Next: Early 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Darnold to Browns

In the end, the only loser is the team — not Cousins. Multiple franchise tags are bad business and Snyder knows this.

Time is ticking.