Should the Skins re-sign Cousins....?

[DaSkinz Baby]

The non-exclusive tag will pay Cousins $19.95 million, giving him the highest base salary of any quarterback in the league for the 2016 season.

"Highest base salary" is almost meaningless. Yes, the tag gives Cousins a top-5 deal (by definition, duh), but it also comes with lots of risk for the player since it's only a one-year contract. You have to factor that in too when determining whether a player is worth it. Paying him $19 million this year is a hell of a lot better than letting him go test the FA market while we have no Plan B — I can tell you that. So yes, right now I think it's worth it, and I hope the team does everything it can to get a long-term deal by July.

Sorry anyone thinking that this dude deserves to be paid this much for a fluke season is crazy.

How do you know his performance last year was a fluke?

So because he was the QB last season and we lucked up and won the division you agree with paying him 19 million? Wow amazing. No more comments I am going to go over to my corner in my round room and drool like the idiot I must be.....

[DaSkinz Baby]

His performance last year is a fluke. Name me one starting QB making 19 million for one year and has not beaten a team with a winning record? However I deduce that at times I think logically when this team and many fans are illogical. So many people screamed at the draft picks given up to draft RGIII but now are okay with paying Cousins 19 million. Does anyone else consider what we could do if we had that 19 million to spend on veterans like Mack from Cleveland? I just think this is going to bite us in the ass and the season coming up I will have all season to gloat and tell you all TOLD YOU SO!! ha ha ha........

[SkinsJock]

The non-exclusive tag will pay Cousins $19.95 million, giving him the highest base salary of any quarterback in the league for the 2016 season.

"Highest base salary" is almost meaningless. Yes, the tag gives Cousins a top-5 deal (by definition, duh), but it also comes with lots of risk for the player since it's only a one-year contract. You have to factor that in too when determining whether a player is worth it. Paying him $19 million this year is a hell of a lot better than letting him go test the FA market while we have no Plan B — I can tell you that. So yes, right now I think it's worth it, and I hope the team does everything it can to get a long-term deal by July.

Sorry anyone thinking that this dude deserves to be paid this much for a fluke season is crazy.

How do you know his performance last year was a fluke?

FFA makes a good point - and this comparison stuff is meaningless - NFL QBs salaries are not based on what other QBs are paid - the market value is more based on what the QB is worth to the franchise in the future and what other QBs are available - Cousins 'worth' was helped by his past season but there is some concern about his QB play and that is why we are where we are - IF Cousins has another great season, he's a big winner - if not, he's still in good shape but the franchise has a much more urgent need to find his replacement

I expect a long term deal by July also - with protections for the franchise should Cousins NOT become the elite QB his camp thinks he is

[SkinsJock]

His performance last year is a fluke. Name me one starting QB making 19 million for one year and has not beaten a team with a winning record? However I deduce that at times I think logically when this team and many fans are illogical. So many people screamed at the draft picks given up to draft RGIII but now are okay with paying Cousins 19 million. Does anyone else consider what we could do if we had that 19 million to spend on veterans like Mack from Cleveland? I just think this is going to bite us in the ass and the season coming up I will have all season to gloat and tell you all TOLD YOU SO!! ha ha ha........

you really should give the guys in charge more credit - this FO is not over-paying anyone to do anything

the salary cap makes for some good salaries but it also means that the franchises have to figure out where to spend their money

Cousins salary may seem to be high but that's where the 'market' is right now - Cousins will get his but this FO is not letting his salary hurt their efforts to improve this franchise in other areas at all

[riggofan]

So because he was the QB last season and we lucked up and won the division you agree with paying him 19 million? Wow amazing. No more comments I am going to go over to my corner in my round room and drool like the idiot I must be.....

They're not paying him because "we won the division". They're paying him because he showed he could play the position.

Cousins led the NFL with a 127.3 passer rating and was the only quarterback in the NFL to record a rating over 100 during the last five weeks. He completed 73.5 percent of his passes for 1,379 yards and an average of 9.1 yards per attempt during that stretch. Cousins recorded 13 passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and just one interception over the past month.

Sounds flukey.

[DaSkinz Baby]

I'm sorry I have to call a spade a spade on this one: I am disgusted at the fact that Kirk Cousins has the audacity to come waltzing his dry ass in Redskins park demanding 20 mill a season after the mediocrity we have had to watch from this man ..both this season and since he's been here.... The fact he's even pressing the issue says a lot about what he wants for this organization moving forward, about how he feels about bringing in other pieces and keeping the pieces we have. Shows a lot about his knowledge of himself, and how honest he is with himself about how he's performed out there and just like I thought this fool is delusional...he needs to go.. poor excuse of a QB and a team leader ..we don't need someone like this as our starting QB for years to come. He is a 8 million a year QB and even that is more than what his true performance has shown.

[SkinsJock]

It takes 2 to tango ... Cousins and his agents have a good idea of what the 'deal' should be and the Redskins FO has the same information

Cousins guys will do their best to get their man his due after what he showed last season - this FO is looking at the future and will have to give Cousins a good deal but at the same time they are going to ensure that they get what they pay for

Bruce Allen is great at structuring deals and Scot & his FO guys will know what number works best for them and the franchise

neither party wants to do a deal that hurts the Redskins financially - it's all good

I could care less what Cousins did - it's what he's going to do that is important and nobody will like it if he does not continue to get better

[DEHog]

I'm sorry I have to call a spade a spade on this one: I am disgusted at the fact that Kirk Cousins has the audacity to come waltzing his dry ass in Redskins park demanding 20 mill a season after the mediocrity we have had to watch from this man ..both this season and since he's been here.... The fact he's even pressing the issue says a lot about what he wants for this organization moving forward, about how he feels about bringing in other pieces and keeping the pieces we have. Shows a lot about his knowledge of himself, and how honest he is with himself about how he's performed out there and just like I thought this fool is delusional...he needs to go.. poor excuse of a QB and a team leader ..we don't need someone like this as our starting QB for years to come. He is a 8 million a year QB and even that is more than what his true performance has shown.

How do you know he demanded that amount or any amount? He had every right to wait til the date that the Skins would have to tag him or allow him to become a FA. This may be the only time he has leverage like this. Let me ask this, do you think for one second that had RG had the year Cousins had that DS would have let him play next year under his current contract? It scares me to think what DS would have paid RG. Also it’s not 19 mil just yet… The team has til July to work out a long term deal.

[DarthMonk]

Name me one starting QB making 19 million for one year and has not beaten a team with a winning record?

Though it is technically true he did not beat a team with a winning record it should be noted that ...

the Bills did not have a winning record (8-8) BECAUSE WE BEAT THEM ... AND

the Eagles did not have a winning record (7-9) BECAUSE WE BEAT THEM TWICE.

[Irn-Bru]

His performance last year is a fluke. Name me one starting QB making 19 million for one year and has not beaten a team with a winning record?

Yes, we went 0-3 against the teams we played who finished with a winning record. BFD. We beat 9 other teams, including more than one that would have a winning record except that we beat them.

However I deduce that at times I think logically when this team and many fans are illogical. So many people screamed at the draft picks given up to draft RGIII but now are okay with paying Cousins 19 million. Does anyone else consider what we could do if we had that 19 million to spend on veterans like Mack from Cleveland? I just think this is going to bite us in the ass and the season coming up I will have all season to gloat and tell you all TOLD YOU SO!! ha ha ha........

So your plan is, let our drafted, home-grown talent walk, and use the money we would have spent to keep them on splashy free agents. Buy a championship team on the free agent market.

Where have I heard that before . . .

[Irn-Bru]

Name me one starting QB making 19 million for one year and has not beaten a team with a winning record?

Though it is technically true he did not beat a team with a winning record it should be noted that ...

the Bills did not have a winning record (8-8) BECAUSE WE BEAT THEM ... AND

the Eagles did not have a winning record (7-9) BECAUSE WE BEAT THEM TWICE.

Yes. And we only played three teams that ended up with a winning record. That factoid is way overblown.

[Irn-Bru]

He is a 8 million a year QB and even that is more than what his true performance has shown.

Can you name a veteran (i.e., not on a rookie contract) QB that is making $8 million a year or less who has proved himself more than Cousins?

[SkinsJock]

The Redskins are not giving Cousins the money or the long term deal that his people want because they don't feel that he will be able to play at that level - This FO will happily give Cousins whatever the market value is if he clearly shows that he's an elite QB - he has not done that

So - Cousins plays this season without a deal and gets a bunch of money - if he clearly shows he's an elite QB, he gets a great deal

IF Cousins plays well but not great he gets a good deal and we start looking for his replacement

Cousins could sign a long term deal before July but it will not be at the $ his camp wants because he has not proven that he's an elite QB

Cousins is going to get paid well because he's clearly shown that he's a good QB - he's just trying to get more because that's what you do



it's all good - we're not getting over the damage caused by Snyder until 2017 season - by then we'll have another QB here getting ready to play

[riggofan]

The Redskins are not giving Cousins the money or the long term deal that his people want because they don't feel that he will be able to play at that level - This FO will happily give Cousins whatever the market value is if he clearly shows that he's an elite QB - he has not done that

I'm sorry man, but where are you getting this information? Keim reported just yesterday that the team was about $4m/yr apart in a long term deal. He didn't report that the team told Cousins he has to go show he can play for another year before they'll do a long term contract.

[SkinsJock]

The Redskins are not giving Cousins the money or the long term deal that his people want because they don't feel that he will be able to play at that level - This FO will happily give Cousins whatever the market value is if he clearly shows that he's an elite QB - he has not done that

I'm sorry man, but where are you getting this information? Keim reported just yesterday that the team was about $4m/yr apart in a long term deal. He didn't report that the team told Cousins he has to go show he can play for another year before they'll do a long term contract.

I did not mean to imply that ... IMO the FO did not want to give Cousins a long term deal at a higher level than they are comfortable with

The hope is that Cousins signs a long term deal at a fair rate by July and I think both sides will do that ...



from all accounts, Cousins camp wanted a long term deal that involved $20M for this year and the Redskins were at $16M ..

By tagging Cousins they leave the door open to still sign a long term deal by July at a fair value

Cousins might still feel that he's an elite QB and just play out the season for $19.9M - then when he's had a fantastic season and shown that he's clearly worth a lot more the Redskins will happily give it to him

I just don't think that Cousins is an elite QB but I'd love it if he proves me wrong

all in all - this FO is handling this very well

[riggofan]

all in all - this FO is handling this very well

I'd love to see this all wrapped up, but I can't complain how this is being handled by either side.

[SkinsJock]

all in all - this FO is handling this very well

I'd love to see this all wrapped up, but I can't complain how this is being handled by either side.

I'm not in that area - I can just imagine the rhetoric ...

both sides are just trying to get the best 'deal' they can - they will figure something out ... the question is ... WHEN?

[OldSchool]

His performance last year is a fluke. Name me one starting QB making 19 million for one year and has not beaten a team with a winning record? However I deduce that at times I think logically when this team and many fans are illogical. So many people screamed at the draft picks given up to draft RGIII but now are okay with paying Cousins 19 million. Does anyone else consider what we could do if we had that 19 million to spend on veterans like Mack from Cleveland? I just think this is going to bite us in the ass and the season coming up I will have all season to gloat and tell you all TOLD YOU SO!! ha ha ha........

Maybe there is a group you can get hooked up with try Googling "It's Still 2012" or "All in for 10." Imagine the fun you'll have watching 2012 replays. Don't worry if your 10 jersey is showing some wear because new ones are dirt cheap in the clearance racks. You may want to buy a couple because your Cousins problem may persist for a decade.

[riggofan]

His performance last year is a fluke. Name me one starting QB making 19 million for one year and has not beaten a team with a winning record? However I deduce that at times I think logically when this team and many fans are illogical. So many people screamed at the draft picks given up to draft RGIII but now are okay with paying Cousins 19 million. Does anyone else consider what we could do if we had that 19 million to spend on veterans like Mack from Cleveland? I just think this is going to bite us in the ass and the season coming up I will have all season to gloat and tell you all TOLD YOU SO!! ha ha ha........

Maybe there is a group you can get hooked up with try Googling "It's Still 2012" or "All in for 10." Imagine the fun you'll have watching 2012 replays. Don't worry if your 10 jersey is showing some wear because new ones are dirt cheap in the clearance racks. You may want to buy a couple because your Cousins problem may persist for a decade.

I'm just shaking my head about the Alex Mack comment. Rather than take a shot at stability at QB, this guy is proposing we use that money on a 30 year old center. Because God knows if we only had a quality center, we'd be in business.

[riggofan]

Noticed this popping up on Twitter last night. Just interesting because Pat Kirwan is CBS' NFL Insider and described as "plugged in":

Pat Kirwan Verified account ‏@PatKirwanCBS 19h19 hours ago

8 Things On My Mind: http://goo.gl/UOtkPZ

4. Looks like the #WAS will get a deal done w/ Kirk Cousins
Nice development for both parties

Don't know if he has some inside info, but might be something in the works...

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

Noticed this popping up on Twitter last night. Just interesting because Pat Kirwan is CBS' NFL Insider and described as "plugged in":

Pat Kirwan Verified account ‏@PatKirwanCBS 19h19 hours ago

8 Things On My Mind: http://goo.gl/UOtkPZ

4. Looks like the #WAS will get a deal done w/ Kirk Cousins
Nice development for both parties

Don't know if he has some inside info, but might be something in the works...

His source is Bruce Allen.

Schefter says nothing is happening.

[Sonny9TD]

Affirmative

[riggofan]

His source is Bruce Allen.

hah. Really?

[markshark84]

Thought I'd lump them together for efficiency purposes.

His performance last year is a fluke. Name me one starting QB making 19 million for one year and has not beaten a team with a winning record? However I deduce that at times I think logically when this team and many fans are illogical. So many people screamed at the draft picks given up to draft RGIII but now are okay with paying Cousins 19 million. Does anyone else consider what we could do if we had that 19 million to spend on veterans like Mack from Cleveland? I just think this is going to bite us in the ass and the season coming up I will have all season to gloat and tell you all TOLD YOU SO!! ha ha ha........

Last year may have been a "fluke". It was only 1 season --- and that is exactly why Scot didn't sign him to a >$100M deal. We have no idea until next year --- BUT not many people see what Cousins was able to do last year as something that can't be sustained. We'll see.

But as far as $19M QBs, I think you argument is a hard one to make because we only played 3 teams with winning records, 2 of whom we played away and were 2 of the best 3 teams in the NFL last season -- and were a collective 15-1 at home..... In the third, against GB, Cousins was the ONLY offensive player to show up. So your "argument" has absolutely no legs. Move on.

That being said, Cousins had a better year than Ryan ($24M), Flacco (22.5M), Stafford (22.5M), Romo (21M), Cutler (17M in a 127M contract), Kapernick ($16M in a 114M contract), Eli (24M), etc. Osweiler had a significantly worse season than Cousins and is getting paid $18.5M a season....

I know you are still butt hurt over RGIII's decline, but don't be a little b![<& and take it out on the QB that broke franchise records last year.....

And it is VERY clear you don't understand what components are necessary to build a winning team. Please look at what Scot is doing as a sample template. $$$ isn't as important as draft picks. Due to the nature of rookie contracts, teams who draft the best win the most consistently because they can acquire STAR players at a fraction of the price. How much did Reed make last year --- $600K? That's a steal because he was under his rookie deal. And why in the f#$& would you spend big $$$ on a 30 year old center???? That is straight dumb. You LITERALLY sound just like Dan Snyder..... Danny boy is that you????

I'm sorry I have to call a spade a spade on this one: I am disgusted at the fact that Kirk Cousins has the audacity to come waltzing his dry ass in Redskins park demanding 20 mill a season after the mediocrity we have had to watch from this man ..both this season and since he's been here.... The fact he's even pressing the issue says a lot about what he wants for this organization moving forward, about how he feels about bringing in other pieces and keeping the pieces we have. Shows a lot about his knowledge of himself, and how honest he is with himself about how he's performed out there and just like I thought this fool is delusional...he needs to go.. poor excuse of a QB and a team leader ..we don't need someone like this as our starting QB for years to come. He is a 8 million a year QB and even that is more than what his true performance has shown.

Perhaps you also don't understand business. The MARKET dictates --- why do you think Scot tagged him????? It is because he KNEW Cousins would get MORE than $19M if he didn't!!!!! Same reason DEN tagged Von Miller. Do you expect any player to come in and say "hey, I'll take $3-4M less per year than I'd get from another team, is that okay with you?" Cousins has conducted himself with a poise and respect that almost all others couldn't have done. He was forced to sit behind an inferior QB for 2 years and watch. Sorry, if that were me, I wouldn't be giving allowances..... And it's up to Scot to figure out how to work contracts, not Cousins --- so please at least attempt to understand how a football organization is run.

You also don't appear to understand what NFL players earn. Here are QBs not under their rookie contracts that make $8M or less: McCown, Daniel, Henne, Sanchez, Keenum, Hill. Last year Cousins finished 6th in the NFL in QBR and 7th in INTs. He set franchise records. I am asking you this seriously ---- are you delusional? Do you not understand basic football concepts?

[Irn-Bru]

Noticed this popping up on Twitter last night. Just interesting because Pat Kirwan is CBS' NFL Insider and described as "plugged in":

Pat Kirwan Verified account ‏@PatKirwanCBS 19h19 hours ago

8 Things On My Mind: http://goo.gl/UOtkPZ

4. Looks like the #WAS will get a deal done w/ Kirk Cousins
Nice development for both parties

Don't know if he has some inside info, but might be something in the works...

Wish he had said just a tad more about what he means by "looks like."