The Washington Redskins missed out on the playoffs for the second consecutive season, something that doesn't sit well with the coaching staff and front office. However, they don't feel as if they're that far away from being a contender as long as they address a few areas this offseason, but have a few lingering questions entering free agency. Here are the latest Redskins free agency rumors you need to know:
Kirk Cousins could get over $25 million per year on the open market
Washington has been reluctant to give Kirk Cousins a long-term contract, franchise tagging him each of the last two years, and they may have to pay for it this offseason. Cousins has said he wants to say with the Redskins, but if he hits free agency, he is in line for one of the biggest contracts in NFL history, according to Zach Kelberman of 247sports.
Spotrac.com has calculated the market value of Cousins' next contract, which is projected to pay him $128,167,080 over five seasons -- or $25.6 million per year. This conclusion was drawn after factoring in the current Redskins star's age (29), recent deals signed by comparable quarterbacks, and his stats against his counterparts.
If the valuation is correct, it would make him the second highest-paid player in NFL history behind Lions QB Matthew Stafford, who signed a five-year, $135 million pact (with $92 million guaranteed) in August. Stafford was also 29 at the time he put pen to paper. Cousins can expect to surpass Derek Carr's five-year, $125 million deal when he signs his next contract.
Cousins passed for 4,093 yards with 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions this past season. It marked the third straight year in which he has passed for over 4,000 yards since becoming Washington's starting quarterback.
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If Cousins leaves, who will Washington target?
If Cousins does leave Washington for more money in free agency, who could the Redskins target to replace him? Rich Tandler of NBC Sports Washington expects them to target one of the three quarterbacks on the Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota has three quarterbacks who have significant NFL starting experience and all three of them are free agents. It would be difficult for the Vikings to keep more than one of the trio of Sam Bradford (80 NFL starts), Case Keenum (38), and Teddy Bridgewater (28). All three would like to start, or at least have an opportunity to start, in 2018. The Vikings will only be able to accommodate one of them.
That would leave two experienced quarterbacks on the market. As you may have heard, the Redskins could be parting ways with Kirk Cousins. Would they be interested in any of the three possible ex-Vikings?
Keenum served as Minnesota's starter for virtually every game this season and had a career year, passing for 3,547 yards with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Bradford only appeared in a game and a half due to injury and passed for 382 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
Bridgewater hasn't played since the 2015 season due to a knee injury. He passed for 3,231 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions that season and said that he expects to be a starter somewhere next year.
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Redskins to cut Jordan Reed?
In order to create enough room to give Cousins a massive contract or bring in another quality quarterback while still address some of their weak spots, the Redskins may have to make a few salary cap cuts. As such, Kyle Tasman of 247sports believes they will part with tight end Jordan Reed.
Jordan Reed is set to make over $10 million in 2018, nearly double his salary from 2017. He's been banged up throughout his career...
Reed finished 2017 with 27 catches for 211 yards and two touchdowns in just six games.
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