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Kirk Cousins: How Matthew Stafford’s new deal will impact negotiations

By Jacob Camenker

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 10: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 10: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins looks to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Matthew Stafford signed a new deal with the Detroit Lions to make him the highest paid player in NFL history. This could have an impact on Kirk Cousins’ next contract.

Late on Monday night, the Detroit Lions sent shock waves throughout the NFL. The team announced that they had signed quarterback Matthew Stafford to a five year extension that will make him the highest paid player in NFL history. At five years, $135 million, the deal will surpass the one recently signed by Derek Carr, and will continue to inflate the quarterback market across the league.

Stafford was just one of the important dominoes on the quarterback market who had to fall. The next may very well be Kirk Cousins. By now, seemingly everyone knows the situation regarding the Washington Redskins quarterback. He was franchised two seasons ago after a strong first season as a starter. He had led the team to the postseason, and he looked like a potential franchise quarterback.

In 2016, Cousins failed to lead the team to the playoffs, but he did have a torrid stretch in the middle of the season that ignited the Redskins team and launched them up in the standings. However, he started the season slowly and finished it on a bad note, losing two of the final three contests en route to missing the playoffs. He was franchised once again, as he didn’t want to sign the giant deal that the Redskins reportedly offered him.

It was a gamble for Cousins to take, but it is looking like a smart one right now. The deals that have been struck by other quarterbacks are most definitely driving up the value of quarterbacks on the market. The price tag of $25 million per season seems to be the new starting point for negotiations, and it is certainly one that Cousins will be targeting. That is, if he doesn’t target the $27 million per year Stafford is making.

Of course, it is entirely possible that Cousins will not land a deal of this magnitude. There are several factors to consider in regards to the impact that the Stafford deal will have on Cousins’ negotiations.

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