Cousins 3.0, he's going to sign the franchise tag

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by MTK

Guaranteed for injury isn't the same as fully guaranteed money. He would have been dumb to sign that deal as offered.

I agree with this. What Cousins was offered in relation to other QB deals is irrelevant. What matters is his opportunity cost.

If he can get $24M under this franchise tag, and $34M under next year's franchise tag (combined $58M), why would he take an offer with only $53M that gives up control for six years?

It's not about the pay relative to other QBs. He's basically taking this position:

- NFL players don't get enough guaranteed money

- the only way I'll relinquish control of my future and sign for a LTD is if you guarantee a major portion of it

- since I am pretty confident you'll franchise me again next year, I can get $58M over the next two seasons. Maybe you won't, but I'm betting on myself. So if I think $58M guaranteed for two years is feasible, then...

- you need to drastically increase the guarantees. It's not about the money, I don't care about being the highest paid QB. But I want most of my contract guaranteed.