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

[Schneed10]

Kicking the can yet again. Frustrating.

I find it interesting that he is "open to doing a deal after the season". Two possibilities there:

1) he knows his leverage will be even higher, and he'll get transitioned for $28M or franchised for $34M. I believe him though when he says it's not all about money, which leads me to believe #2 is more probable:

2) During these latest negotiations, I believe it's possible that he either told the team, or indicated, that he doesn't want to sign a long term deal in Washington and that he wants to work his way towards free agency. In response the Redskins could have said OK well we want you to publicly indicate that you're open to a long term deal with us, so that we ratchet up some leverage in a trade scenario in February/March next year. We'll help you go where you want to go, but we want you to help us get something in return for you.

Only thing that makes #2 a little implausible is it's hard to see Snyder being willing to help Kyle Shanahan in any form.

All I know is the team's internal hemming and hawing over how good he is has led them to kick the can down a road that does nothing but give him more leverage than any QB in recent memory. It has been managed really poorly.

I'll withhold final judgment until the situation ultimately resolves itself. But if we sign him in February for a long term deal worth $28M per season or whatever it will cost, do you call that a win? How can you, when he could have been had for $20M per last season?

I've gone from optimistic to quite pessimistic. I really thought common sense would carry the day here, the Redskins let me down on that front yet again.