Examining the circumstances surrounding Kirk Cousins there were two mistakes that made along the way. Are the Redskins about to make a third mistake?
We take you back to the late afternoon of January 10, 2016 and the Redskins were eliminated from the playoffs only a few minutes prior. In early December the team figured to be out of the playoffs with a 5-7 record after a tough game at home against division rival Dallas. The 19-16 loss had local media and fans thinking of the offseason and future players that could fill the roster via free agency and the draft. The main question focused on quarterback.
The Redskins won the next game over the hapless Bears, but even at 6-7 the Redskins were not in realistic playoff contention. Fortunes reversed sharply the following week as the Redskins evened their record at 7-7. The next game was for the division title and what seemed like a distant dream became a memorable reality with a victory over the Eagles.
After another late season win the Redskins were in the playoffs, but sputtered against the Packers. The late season charge was led by Kirk Cousins and his superb leadership. Extending him was tricky at that juncture. Would the Redskins give Cousins a franchise contract after a remarkable half season of football? Of course not. It was wise to wait another year, but a bigger mistake was made by exercising a first round option on Robert Griffin's contract after the 2014 season and guaranteeing a $16 million salary for 2015. This would be the first misstep in a series of blunders from the front office. There was nothing to indicate that Griffin would regain his 2012 form or become a pocket passer.
Fast forward to the 2016 season. Griffin was gone – exiled to the woeful Cleveland Browns and Cousins was playing on the franchise tag. The front office wanted to see him perform in a “prove it†season. Cousins responded with a record breaking season, but came up short of making the playoffs. The front office chose to franchise him for a second straight season – that was mistake number two. If the Redskins would've transition-tagged him at that juncture, they could've matched any offer and likely would've done so. The contract was probably going to cost about $23 million to $24 million for five years – similar to the deal that Alex Smith has now.
The 2017 season was one of promise, but turned to futility as injuries and various problems took a toll. Cousins still had a good season, but the team was ready to move on from the signal caller. He could not elevate his game late in the season in 2016 and 2017. Combine that with lamentable efforts in critical games (including the playoff appearance) and it was painfully obvious that it was time to move on from number eight. However, are the Redskins about to make mistake number three?
Is it possible that Kirk Cousins would've signed a new deal after the 2015 season? The answer we now know is emphatically in the negative. He never wanted to negotiate with the Redskins once Griffin had that option exercised. Cousins was insulted by that move and while that may seem like an outrageous reaction, it is simply the reality of that mistake by the front office. Number eight was never going to negotiate a long term deal. The only way the Redskins could've kept Cousins was to match a transition tag offer after the 2016 season. Hence, mistake number two.
The Redskins simply can't afford to make mistake number three. There are reports that the Redskins want to transition or franchise tag Cousins one more time, but with the idea of trading him for compensation. This would be mistake number three. There are too many scenarios to discuss here, but tagging him one more time could be extremely costly in many ways. The Redskins have a quarterback now who wants to be with the organization and is excited to be in town. Kirk Cousins wanted out of town a long time ago. We could argue the many reasons why he soured on the team, but that would accomplish nothing.
It is time for the Redskins to move on and let Kirk Cousins walk on March 14.
We take you back to the late afternoon of January 10, 2016 and the Redskins were eliminated from the playoffs only a few minutes prior. In early December the team figured to be out of the playoffs with a 5-7 record after a tough game at home against division rival Dallas. The 19-16 loss had local media and fans thinking of the offseason and future players that could fill the roster via free agency and the draft. The main question focused on quarterback.
The Redskins won the next game over the hapless Bears, but even at 6-7 the Redskins were not in realistic playoff contention. Fortunes reversed sharply the following week as the Redskins evened their record at 7-7. The next game was for the division title and what seemed like a distant dream became a memorable reality with a victory over the Eagles.
After another late season win the Redskins were in the playoffs, but sputtered against the Packers. The late season charge was led by Kirk Cousins and his superb leadership. Extending him was tricky at that juncture. Would the Redskins give Cousins a franchise contract after a remarkable half season of football? Of course not. It was wise to wait another year, but a bigger mistake was made by exercising a first round option on Robert Griffin's contract after the 2014 season and guaranteeing a $16 million salary for 2015. This would be the first misstep in a series of blunders from the front office. There was nothing to indicate that Griffin would regain his 2012 form or become a pocket passer.
Fast forward to the 2016 season. Griffin was gone – exiled to the woeful Cleveland Browns and Cousins was playing on the franchise tag. The front office wanted to see him perform in a “prove it†season. Cousins responded with a record breaking season, but came up short of making the playoffs. The front office chose to franchise him for a second straight season – that was mistake number two. If the Redskins would've transition-tagged him at that juncture, they could've matched any offer and likely would've done so. The contract was probably going to cost about $23 million to $24 million for five years – similar to the deal that Alex Smith has now.
The 2017 season was one of promise, but turned to futility as injuries and various problems took a toll. Cousins still had a good season, but the team was ready to move on from the signal caller. He could not elevate his game late in the season in 2016 and 2017. Combine that with lamentable efforts in critical games (including the playoff appearance) and it was painfully obvious that it was time to move on from number eight. However, are the Redskins about to make mistake number three?
Is it possible that Kirk Cousins would've signed a new deal after the 2015 season? The answer we now know is emphatically in the negative. He never wanted to negotiate with the Redskins once Griffin had that option exercised. Cousins was insulted by that move and while that may seem like an outrageous reaction, it is simply the reality of that mistake by the front office. Number eight was never going to negotiate a long term deal. The only way the Redskins could've kept Cousins was to match a transition tag offer after the 2016 season. Hence, mistake number two.
The Redskins simply can't afford to make mistake number three. There are reports that the Redskins want to transition or franchise tag Cousins one more time, but with the idea of trading him for compensation. This would be mistake number three. There are too many scenarios to discuss here, but tagging him one more time could be extremely costly in many ways. The Redskins have a quarterback now who wants to be with the organization and is excited to be in town. Kirk Cousins wanted out of town a long time ago. We could argue the many reasons why he soured on the team, but that would accomplish nothing.
It is time for the Redskins to move on and let Kirk Cousins walk on March 14.
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