Redskins intend to retain Kirk Cousins in 2018, says Jay Gruden

In light of the Redskins approaching game against the San Francisco 49ers, speculation on the Kirk Cousins’ situation has rekindled, as many predict he’ll join the 49ers in 2018. But don’t tell Jay Gruden they’re saying that. Because he doesn’t seem to agree.

The Redskins franchise tagged Kirk Cousins for a second straight season earlier this year after failing to come away with a long-term deal before the deadline. Both sides of the situation have repeatedly supported each other, but the writing on the wall, for some time, spoke of nothing but a Kirk Cousins departure after the ensuing season.

Now that we’ve played a few games, however, the shrill sirens are no longer blaring, and Kirk Cousins has silenced all speculators with his play. Through four games, he has over 1,000 yards, 7 touchdowns, and one interception, on pace for his best season yet. He’s playing with a confidence we haven’t often seen from him before, and if he continues to play this way, he could lead the Redskins to the playoffs for a second time in three years.

But nevertheless, the lack of resolution with his contract looms large, and the Redskins upcoming matchup with one of Cousins’ potential suitors, the 49ers, brings the issue back to the forefront. On Wednesday, when asked about the impending negotiations, and Cousins’ floating fate, Jay Gruden had this brief answer to offer to the media, per 49ers beat reporter Nick Wagoner.

Jay Gruden on Kirk Cousins: "We intend on keeping him."
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 11, 2017

It’s good to hear this from Gruden, but until further notice, this doesn’t change a thing. Situationally, it would be in the Redskins’ best interest to keep Kirk Cousins. He’s playing at a very high level, and he’s yet to hit 30 years old. But financially, he’ll be asking for quite a lot of money in 2018, and if the two sides can’t reach a long term agreement, and the Redskins actually do give him a third straight franchise tag, then he’d be taking over $30 million from the salary cap. Can the Redskins do it? Well, yes. But I wouldn’t expect Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen to willfully shell out that much money for the signal caller.

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Furthermore, if Cousins does hit the open market, then there’s virtually no chance he resigns with the Redskins. Many of the quarterback-needy teams in the league will enter 2018 with the highest cap totals, including the 49ers, the opposing team most often associated with Kirk Cousins. They’ll be rolling in greenbacks next year, to the tune of $67 million dollars. That’s over $10 million more than the next team on the list.

If the 49ers wanted to, and Cousins did leave, they’d lock him up quick. But maybe times have changed. Perhaps Cousins’ newborn child has convinced him to settle down, and Washington D.C. is the place he wants to camp. Cousins is a man who weighs all the options carefully, without contrite. And his agent, Mike McCartney, is the same way.

Cousins’ own comments haven’t inspired any optimism. On more than one occasion, he’s expressed the desire to take things ‘one year at a time’. He seems to exude indifference when it comes to where his home will be next year. Now, that’s not to say that he doesn’t care. But it could mean that he doesn’t mind leaving D.C. And who could blame him? He says he wants to be where he’s wanted. And the Redskins’ bogus offer on the deadline date last summer showed they’re only willing to pay so much for him. Couple that with their attempt to blame Cousins for the inaction (which they’re not entirely wrong, but I digress), and Cousins could very well have been rubbed the wrong way.

Next: Redskins schedule prediction for remaining twelve games

For now, the Redskins can be content with Kirk Cousins. And Jay Gruden can be optimistic that the Redskins will keep the savvy quarterback around in the years to come. If anything, this weekend’s game against the 49ers is a painful reminder. A reminder that Cousins could be gone as early as next February. But don’t tell Gruden that. He won’t listen. Because as far as he’s concerned, Cousins is a Redskin. And he’ll be a Redskin for life.

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