The Washington Redskins made the only logical move they could Tuesday to ensure that they didn’t lose Kirk Cousins in free agency: assigning him franchise tag status, which essentially takes him off the market because of the unlikelihood that another team is willing to give up two first-round picks as compensation for his services.
In doing so, the Redskins have committed to pay Cousins $19.95 million for the 2016 season, for now. They can negotiate toward a long-term deal with a lower cap number until July 15. But that likely won’t happen anytime soon, and so, to create the necessary financial flexibility that they need to meet needs in free agency, the Redskins will have to do some work.