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WASHINGTON — Wait, the Redskins may actually still place their franchise tag on Kirk Cousins, even after the news they announced that they traded for the Chiefs Alex Smith?
Yes. Apparently the Washington brass is mulling it over because the team is trying to see if it can tag Cousins so the team can trade him and recoup some of the compensation they are sending to Kansas City for Smith.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter said tagging Cousins would prevent him from becoming a true unrestricted free agent once the new league year opens March 14 at 4 p.m., which could impact how other teams view free agency and the draft.
Schefter said the Redskins may want to have a say in where Cousins ends up playing in 2018, giving the Skins the ability to try and extract compensation in this year’s draft, instead of getting nothing in return this year.
- Cousins may still have a say in the matter if he delays signing the tag, with the Redskins having to count the $34.5 million from the tag on the team’s salary cap. It’s also $34.5 million less the team can spend on free agency.
- Cousins also could say to any of the Redskins trade partners that he is unwilling to sign a long-term deal, which would hurt that team’s excitement for giving up a top pick for his services and holding up any possible trade.
- Washington also could decide to pull the tag to get Cousins contract off its salary cap, but it would forfeit the right to get back a 2019 compensatory draft pick that it would get if Cousins left as a free agent — a risky move for Washington.
Anyway you want to look at it, it is a business decision and a way to get back at least a third-round pick the team is sending to the Chiefs for Smith. But, it’s also a decision that has a expiration date on it, since teams can start designating franchise players on Feb. 20.
