Kirk Cousins, Redskins Fail To Reach Long-Term Agreement

The Washington Redskins failed to reach a long-term contract with starting quarterback Kirk Cousins before the NFL’s deadline to do so at 4 p.m. Friday.

‘You Don’t Like That’: Cousins, Redskins Fail To Reach Long-Term Agreement

As a result, Cousins will be the second quarterback in NFL history to play a season under the franchise tag. Drew Brees played one year as the franchise player for the San Diego Chargers back in 2005, before signing an offseason deal with the New Orleans Saints.

Brees would go on to bring a Super Bowl back to the Bayou.

Most insiders expected Washington and Cousins would not be able to come to terms given the other high-priced assets on the roster including wide receiver DeSean Jackson, tight end Jordan Reed and the addition of free agent signing, cornerback Josh Norman.

“I would love to do a long-term deal with Kirk,” Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan said a couple months back, “but I’m not going to ruin the organization financially to do it.”

Cousins didn’t seemed too concerned about the negotiations in May.

The former Michigan State Spartan, despite his viral ‘You like that’ video taking the internet and television by storm, was adamant that he would prefer not to discuss the issue.

KIRK COUSINS GOES NUTS AFTER COMEBACK WIN: “YOU LIKE THAT”

Cousins wanted to let his performance speak for him.

“I’ll let my play do the talking,” the Redskin signal caller said in May. “Nothing in this league is promised to you. Whether it’s a one-year deal or a 10-year deal, I have to prove myself every game and every year. I feel very established in my role and excited to take advantage of the opportunity, which is a phenomenal opportunity.”

According to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, the terms of the contract haven’t budged since Washington extended an offer to Cousins at the NFL Combine back in February.

That offer was said to be in the $16 million per year range, with $24 million in guarantees. Neither side has moved the needle since, according to Garafolo.

On the bright side, it’s not like Cousins will be setting up shop in the poor house in 2016. His franchise tender will net him close to $20 million for the season.

Cousins and his representation were lobbying for $20 million per season at the floor and it appears the ‘Skins were not having it.

KIRK COUSINS 2015-2016 HIGHLIGHT REEL

Now 27, Cousins was drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft as an insurance policy for then-superstar Robert Griffin III. Since, he has outperformed every barometer set for him.

It took until training camp last year for Cousins to finally wrestle the starting role away from Griffin, after sitting behind RGIII for three seasons. The Barrington, Illinois native, remained patient, taking advantage of the opportunities he was given when Griffin was injured and he finally took off when head coach Jay Gruden handed him the keys to the offense in 2015.

Cousins completed nearly 70 percent of his passes in his first year as a starter, throwing for, a team-record, 4,144 yards and 29 touchdowns to just 11 intercepts. He also dispelled the rumor that he was immobile, rushing for five more scores and leading the Redskins to the playoffs for the first time in two years.

“I never played football thinking about money,” Cousins told ESPN’s Jim Trotter. “And going forward I never want to play football thinking about money.”