The Redskins failed to extend quarterback Kirk Cousins before the Monday afternoon deadline. Already, the public relations campaign to try and soothe irked fans is underway. Team president Bruce Allen read the following statement to reporters at Redskins park (Twitter link via Nona Princiotti of The Washington Times): 
“After discussions with Kirk face-to-face over the weekend, I want to clarify our negotiations for this year. Kirk is obviously important to our team and fans, and they deserve to know where things stand.
Our goal was to sign Kirk to a long-term contract with the final objective of having him finish his career with the Redskins.
On May 2nd, right after the draft, we made Kirk an offer that included the highest fully guaranteed amount upon signing for a quarterback in NFL history ($53MM) and guaranteed a total of $72MM for injury. The deal would have made him at least the second highest-paid player by average per year in NFL history.
But despite our repeated attempts, we have not received any offer from Kirk’s agent this year.
Kirk has made it clear that he prefers to play on a year-to-year basis. While we would have liked to work out a long-term contract before this season, we accept his decision.
We both share high hopes for this season and we are looking forward to training camp starting next week. And we remain hopeful that a long-term contract will be signed in the future.”
The Redskins want fans to know that they offered a great deal of money to Cousins before Monday’s deadline. While that is true, it does not tell the whole story. Cousins already has a $24MM guarantee for the coming season and the team’s final offer only provided him with $29MM in new guarantees, meaning that the new pact really only gave him two guaranteed years out of a presumed five.
When it comes to Cousins, it seems that the Redskins are one year behind the times. Cousins’ camp likely would have accepted this offer – or something similar – prior to the 2016 franchise tag extension deadline. After turning in another quality season, the price has gone up, but the Redskins have not moved accordingly.
The real headline here is that the Redskins claim they have not received a counter-offer from Cousins’ agent. If that is the case, then there might be no amount of money that could keep the QB in D.C. for the long run.
Screw him then!!!! He better hope he has a good year without injuries or he will regret it. Though with what he made last year and this year, he is set for life. How much is enough for these guys? Between guys like this and guys wanting to strike….I’m sick of the greed.
But it’s okay for the billionaire owners to try to get the best deals for their pockets?
If it weren’t for the “billionaire owners” we wouldn’t have football….just food for thought
Sure we would, just wouldn’t have the NFL.
There’s nothing wrong with the owners maximizing profits, my problem is when players are expected to take less just to further line their pockets. It’s a business on both sides.
Yes.
Actually… I’m ok with that. The CBA has clauses already included to counter that. And technically it’s the owners who take most of the risks.
Glad we all know Dan Snyder’s username now.
And it’s fitting since he has short dude syndrome to call himself big Jon but he knew that would be obvious so he included lil Jon to throw us off his scent.
2nd highest paid. He’s not that good
Second tier QB and media writing about him like he is Brady.
Gotta agree Capt Kirk has gotten greedy, and when the team has to put junk on the field, which will eventually happen who is Kirk going to blame then? Yeah stupid people do stupid things… just ask the owner!
This is all on the team. It isn’t about Kirk being greedy. It is about the team treating him like a 2nd class player and the team president saying his name wrong for years. Even today he said his name wrong multiple times!
I just don’t think Kirk wants to be here. Also, it isn’t Kirk being greedy it is him making the best business decision for him and his family. He would be dumb to take a deal that really only guarantees him a salary next year — even if he is only mediocre this year he will get a nice salary next year that will guarantee him around $40M so why take $54M when you know you basically have $65M in the bank?
He is a second class player.
You’re mistaking “class” with “caliber” or “tier”. Treating someone like a second class player or citizen means intentionally treating them poorly or ignoring them out of spite.
Sure Cousins isn’t a top tier QB but being treated poorly because the owner was wrong about RG3 is what soured Cousins towards the Skins. The relationship has improved but not to the point where he trusts the organization enough to commit long term, especially long term at a discount.
Yeah he ain’t signing a long term contract because he bolting for the 49ers next year
Redskins are being foolish here. They’ve been irrelevant so long before RG3, and were lucky (smart) enough to have Cousins waiting once RG3’s career collapsed. Is he the best qb in the league? No but he’s proven just as much as Derek Carr has in Oakland, and many of the other second tier of qbs. Just pay the man and keep your team relevant
Danny boy wanted RGIII and Shanahan wanted Cousins. Danny didn’t get his way now he is pouting. This is a guy that signed Haynesworthless to a god awful deal and he can’t sign Cousins. There is more to it than you might see!
I agree with SlingingSammyBaugh,even though I’m a Packer fan.I’ve also been spoiled with our QB play for 20plus years now.
FO can only blame themselves for him not wanting to sign their offer. They are the ones who continue to drive his price up, in his mind, year after year with the franchise tags. I get that they didn’t want to commit to him 2 years ago long-term, but now they are paying the price (ha.) since they’ve decided that they actually want him.