If Redskins Want Kirk Cousins Extension, Team Must First Use Franchise Tag

Just eight days before the NFL franchise player tag deadline, there are still no explicit indications that Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins are any closer to reaching agreement on a long-term deal than they were at the end of the season in January.

No Extension Deal Expected Between Redskins and QB Kirk Cousins

Most NFL experts seem to believe there remains little chance that the Redskins and Cousins, 28, reach a deal before the Mach 1 tag deadline. The team “would love to do so and avoid having to commit roughly $24 million in fully-guaranteed money (all of which counts against the salary cap) to the quarterback,” according to the Washington Post’s Mike Jones.

Should Cousins be tagged by the Redskins, it would mark the second time in his career he has been franchise tagged. Under the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) rules, players can be tagged up to three times, although the union is attempting to make sure that number is usually kept to two or less.

If the quarterback is tagged again, by either the Redskins or another team, he would receive a 44 percent raise from his previous year’s salary, which was $19.95 million.

Cousins told CBS Sports’ Dave Richard at the Pro Bowl that he’s waiting to see what Washington does.

“I’m just staying ready and looking forward to an opportunity,” Cousins said. “I’d love to build something in Washington, we’ll see if the decision-makers let that happen.”

The Redskins have approximately $64 million in salary cap space this year.

Cousins threw a career-high 4,917 yards to go along with 25 touchdowns in 2016. The 2012 fourth-round pick out of Michigan State has often started behind quarterback Robert Griffin III.

PHOTO: LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins drops back to pass in the second quarter of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedExField on October 25, 2015 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images)