Report: Kirk Cousins will play under 2017 franchise tag

Despite reportedly wanting to be traded, Washington Redskins starting quarterback Kirk Cousins will take the high road and play on the 2017 franchise tag.

Things might be getting back to normal with the Washington Redskins. Yes, they did fire former general manager Scot McCloughan on Thursday, but at least they’ll be getting quarterback Kirk Cousins for one more year.

According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, “Kirk Cousins will sign his franchise tag soon….He’s a good solider, knows he’s not likely going anywhere.”

This is the second straight season that Cousins will play under the franchise tag. An NFL team can only double-down and tag a player twice in succession. That means Cousins will hit unrestricted free agency in 2018 should he not sign a long-term deal with Washington.

Cousins was rumored to be seeking a trade out of town and a likely landing spot for him would have been the San Francisco 49ers. He would be reunited with his former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, now the head coach of the 49ers. However, the 49ers have already signed Brian Hoyer to be their starting quarterback for 2017. At least former Michigan State standout got to play for Shanahan.

Cousins will make over $20 million in 2017 with the Redskins. As long as he is playing quarterback for them, the Redskins have a shot at contending for a playoff spot in the NFC. Washington has been a slightly above-.500 team with Cousins under center.

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While they didn’t expect it when they drafted him in 2012 to be Robert Griffin III’s backup, Cousins has brought far too much stability to a highly dysfunctional organization like Washington. It’s not like he’s too good for the bit of cash he’ll make on the 2017 tag. He can move on to greener pastures in 2018 if he feels so inclined.