Without franchise tag, free agency looms for QB Cousins
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins scrambles against the Denver Broncos in Landover, Md., on Dec. 24. After agreeing to a trade to acquire quarterback Alex Smith, the Redskins are moving on from the Kirk Cousins era. When the league year opens in mid-March, Cousins will be the top free agent available and find no shortage of suitors for his services.
WASHINGTON >> Kirk Cousins’ time with the Washington Redskins is all but over after they chose not to use the franchise tag on the quarterback as expected.
The Redskins have agreed to acquire Alex Smith from the Kansas City Chiefs, effectively pushing Cousins into free agency following a tumultuous six years with the club the drafted him. Cousins will be the top free agent available when the league year opens in mid-March and should have no shortage of suitors.
The 29-year-old Cousins is coming off his third consecutive 4,000-yard passing season. In his time as a full-time NFL starter, he has completed 67 percent of his passes for 81 touchdowns, 36 interceptions and a 97.5 QB rating.
The deadline to use the franchise or transition tag was 11 a.m. today.
