Kirk Cousins: 'No progress' on a long-term contract with the Redskins
Cousins, like other franchise tag players, expects negotiating to run up to July 15 deadline
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One more month -- that's how long Washington's front office and Kirk Cousins have to reach an agreement on a long-term contract. Otherwise, if a contract isn't signed by July 15, Cousins will play the 2016 season under the franchise tag.
On Saturday, Cousins provided an update on contract talks. His update: There is no update.
"No progress to speak of," Cousins said, per CSN Mid-Atlantic.
That's not surprising. Contracts for franchise-tagged players tend to get done at the last minute. Like Cousins, the Broncos' Von Miller, the Bears' Alshon Jeffery, and the Chiefs' Eric Berry are also lacking long-term deals. Remember: Last year, Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, and Justin Houston didn't sign their contracts until July 15th.
"So, stay tuned," Cousins said. "We'll find out. July 15th will be a determining day."
For the team, the franchise tag almost makes too much sense. After sitting behind Robert Griffin III for three seasons and accumulating a 4.7 interception rate in 14 appearances, Cousins took over the starting job in 2015 and proceeded to lower his interception rate to 2.0. He also posted a 101.6 passer rating. Thanks to a porous division, the Cousins-led Redskins made the playoffs.
Still, general manager Scot McCloughan would be wise to force Cousins to repeat his success before committing to him for years to come. Both sides seem to be OK with that scenario in the event a long-term agreement can't be reached.
"If they feel like they have enough information and want to make that call right now, then great, too," Cousins told 106.7 The Fan, a CBS Sports Radio station, in May. "But I think the ball's in their court and I will react accordingly to whatever decision they make. But I am totally comfortable playing more football, and frankly if I don't play well next season, I don't deserve to be back. I don't deserve a long-term deal. So I want to go out and earn it, and prove myself, and if I need to prove myself again, that's fine. I'll go see if I can do that."
If Cousins earns it, McCloughan has said he won't have any problem overpaying for his services.
"Let me overpay him if he's good," McCloughan told Bleacher Report in April. "If you have a productive guy, it helps everything, and it proves out. You look around this league and see the teams that are in the playoffs every year and look who the quarterbacks are. Look at the ones who win. It proves out."
As it stands, Cousins will earn nearly $20 million next year. Cousins previously earned an average salary of $643,172. So, regardless of what happens this summer, Cousins already won big.
