Like many other fans of the Washington Redskins, NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr has a spirited opinion about the team's inability to sign quarterback Kirk Cousins to a long term contract. Cousins is currently in line to become the next $20 million dollar a year quarterback in the NFL.
The team already paid Cousins $19.9 million to play last year under the franchise tag, and if they choose to tag him again will have to pay him nearly $24 million for 2017. The main problem with continually tagging him, beyond giving Cousins tons of guaranteed money without any future deal in place, is that the team would be looking at a price tag of over $34 million a year for a third consecutive tag in 2018.
Earnhardt wants Cousins signed to a long term deal
Earnhardt told a reporter earlier this week that quality quarterbacks are tough to find in the NFL these days. Earnhardt also made it a point to express that drafting a quarterback is a risky business, and that with all the time it takes to develop the players post-draft, you have to hold on to the ones who do well in a particular system.
Earnhardt expressed his unhappiness with the team's inability to get a deal done yet, and after the year Cousins had in 2016 he doesn't believe a franchise tag is needed. Earnhardt also stated that the team needed to "get it done now", and stop wasting time with a player who just last year broke his own Redskins franchise passing records.
Earlier last month, while on his honeymoon, Earnhardt took to Twitter to voice his opinion about the current state of the Redskins and how he believes the team should approach upcoming roster moves.
.@Redskins need to finalize a deal with @KirkCousins8. Great production. Great head on his shoulders. You can build and win with the guy.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) January 2, 2017
Scot McCloughan drafts are starting to bear fruit. Deep at WR even w/ unsigned FAs. Improved OLine. Need to retain coaching top to bottom...
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) January 2, 2017
Need maybe 1 more starting OLineman. Go heavy on defense in draft and FA. #RedskinsTalk
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) January 2, 2017
Romo simply not an option
With Kirk Cousins rumors flying in every direction lately it's hard to keep up with reality these days.
Earnhardt realizes the reality of the situation is serious in regards to the latest gossip in Washington that the Redskins will pursue Tony Romo if they are unable to re-sign Cousins to a long-term deal and end up trading him. It's a situation he believes the team cannot be involved in.
Quite frankly in Earnhardt's mind, Romo can never put on a burgundy and gold Redskins uniform no matter the reasoning or situation behind it.
"That kind of situation would be horrible," Earnhardt Jr said. "Tony Romo will forever be a Dallas Cowboy...I could never feel comfortable with him as our qb."
New reports suggest that Cousins does not want to sign a long-term contract with the Redskins. If true, the thought is if the Redskins can't sign him they will use the franchise tag on him for a second straight year, and then possibly try to trade him at the NFL Scouting Combine next week.
Newly hired San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan figures to be the top suitor for Cousins if the Redskins look to make a deal. Shanahan drafted Cousins in the 2012 NFL Draft and has had tons of praise for the signal caller. Some reports have also suggested that the Redskins may be interested in Romo if they don't bring Cousins back in 2017.
Most likely any trade will be contingent on the Redskins getting the 49ers number 2 overall draft pick, along with other considerations.
