Jan 1, 2017; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball as New York Giants defensive end Owa Odighizuwa (58) chases in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Giants won 19-10. Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins asked team owner Daniel Snyder for a trade without a long-term contract in place, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported on Thursday, citing league and team sources.
Snyder told Cousins that he should not anticipate a trade, according to the report. Cousins is prevented from negotiating with teams under the exclusive franchise tag that was placed on him Feb. 28.
It was the second straight year that the franchise tag was used on Cousins, who received the non-exclusive franchise tag in 2015.
Washington can negotiate with Cousins on a long-term deal until July 15. Should the sides remain at an impasse, Cousins will make $23.94 million for the 2017 season.
Before being tagged last month, Cousins had reportedly expressed interest in a reunion with former Redskins offensive coordinator and new 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco.
The door apparently closed for this year with the 49ers after they reached a reported agreement with quarterback Brian Hoyer on a two-year contract. The 49ers pursued Hoyer as their starter for the 2017 season.
Cousins threw for a career-high 4,917 yards with 25 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions last season.
Cousins is entering his sixth NFL season after throwing for 12,113 yards, 72 touchdowns and 42 interceptions in five previous seasons with Washington. He ranks sixth on the Redskins’ all-time passing yards list and trails fifth-place Billy Kilmer by 239 yards.
Cousins’ 72 career touchdowns also ranks sixth in franchise history, trailing fifth-place Mark Rypien by 29.
