Kirk Cousins Contract: Latest News and Rumors on Negotiations with Redskins

With Kirk Cousins in the midst of a breakout season, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported on Dec. 20 that Washington will not let the 27-year-old quarterback hit free agency this offseason. 

Continue for updates. 

---

Redskins Willing to Explore Options to Keep Cousins

Friday, Jan. 8

Albert Breer of NFL Network reported that "the Redskins intend to execute a blockbuster deal with their new franchise quarterback before the deadline to tag players in early March, but are fully prepared to franchise Cousins if they can't beat the clock."

Breer added, per a source, "He's not getting out of the building." 

---

What Cousins Will Cost Washington

Sunday, Dec. 20

According to salary-cap expert Joel Corry of CBS Sports, assuming the NFL salary cap is $153.4 million next season, the non-exclusive franchise tag for a quarterback will be $19.7 million. 

La Canfora reported that members of the Washington organization rave about Cousins on and off the field. 

"The organization is sold on Cousins' overall ability, loves his character and leadership skills and has been impressed with how his teammates have rallied around him, uniting a locker room that was often divided during the stint of Robert Griffin III," La Canfora wrote.

Per Spotrac, under the terms of his four-year rookie deal, Cousins has never had a single-season base salary valued at more than $660,000. Whether he plays under the franchise tag or signs a long-term extension in Washington, the former Michigan State star is looking at a substantial raise. 

No one can say Cousins hasn't earned it. The 2012 fourth-round pick worked his way up the depth chart and has started every game for Washington this season. He leads the NFL with a completion percentage of 69.8 entering the NFL playoffs. 

Cousins can still improve, as his 29 touchdown passes are tied for 12th and his 11 interceptions are tied for 15th-most in the NFL. But he's helped stabilize what was a volatile position for Washington over the previous two years. 

Finding a starting quarterback who can produce is the most important thing an NFL team can do. Cousins has developed into a solid player at the position and is still inexperienced enough—with just 25 starts under his belt—that he can get better for a team that just won a division title. 

Stats via ESPN.com.