Redskins’ Cousins will play with franchise tag
Steelers, Bell fail to make a deal; Panthers fire general manager
Kirk Cousins will be the first quarterback in NFL history to play consecutive seasons on the franchise tag.
Cousins and the Washington Redskins didn’t sign a long-term deal by the deadline Monday. He will make $23.94 million on the franchise tag in 2017 after earning $19.95 million last year.
Team president Bruce Allen said in a prepared statement that the Redskins’ goal was to sign Cousins to a long-term contract and offered him $53 million guaranteed or $72 million in the event of injury. That would have been the second-most fully guaranteed money given to a QB behind Aaron Rodgers’ $54 million.
“Despite our repeated attempts, we have not received any offer from Kirk’s agent this year,” Allen said. “Kirk has made it clear that he prefers to play on a year-to-year basis. While we would have liked to work out a long-term contract before this season, we accept his decision.”
Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, declined an interview request made before Allen issued his statement. Allen said the team’s offer was made May 2 and that he met with Cousins face to face over the weekend.
The 28-year-old Michigan State product is going into his third full season as Washington’s starter. Cousins set franchise records with 4,166 and 4,917 yards the past two seasons, but has yet to win a playoff game.
Oakland’s Derek Carr signed a deal last month that guarantees him $40 million. Carr has also not won a playoff game, but has played only three pro seasons, Cousins will head into his sixth NFL campaign and was a backup to Robert Griffin III to start his career.
In 46 games, including 41 starts, Cousins has completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 12,113 yards, 72 touchdowns and 42 interceptions.
“I think Kirk has proved that he’s in the top 15 quarterbacks,” recently promoted senior vice president of player personnel Doug Williams said last month. “Wherever you want to put him it all depends on who’s looking at him in this league for what he’s done in this league. I know a lot of people say he’s got to win this one, he’s got to win that one, but I think Kirk has proved that he can play in this league.”
STEELERS: Pittsburgh and star running back Le’Veon Bell failed to reach an agreement on a longterm contract, meaning Bell will play on a one-year tender this season.
Pittsburgh placed the franchise tag on Bell in March and had until Monday afternoon to work out a new deal. Bell instead will make $12.1 million this season, the average of the five highest-paid running backs in the league.
PANTHERS: Carolina fired general manager Dave Gettleman on Monday, eight days before the team reports to training camp. Owner Jerry Richardson said in a statement he made the decision after a long evaluation of the team’s football operations.
Gettleman had been Carolina’s general manager for four seasons, when the Panthers went 43-26-1.
He made some business decisions that were unpopular with fans. Among them: cutting star wideout Steve Smith before the 2014 season and running back DeAngelo Williams in 2015, then allowing cornerback Josh Norman to become a free agent in 2016 after rescinding the franchise tag.
Williams, now a free agent after two seasons with Pittsburgh, tweeted he would consider returning to the Panthers “due to the firing of that snake Dave Gettleman!”
COWBOYS: Dallas wide receiver Lucky Whitehead is looking for a dog-napper.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, Whitehead said that someone had broken into his house and stolen his dog Blitz.
Plus, the pitbull puppy is a rare breed, Whitehead said, and is being held for ransom.
The monetary figure that Whitehead told NBCdfw.com the ransom caller mentioned: $10,000.
Whitehead wrote on Instagram: “While out of town, Blitz was being taken care of by a close friend at my house and someone broke in and took him. Whomever stole Blitz has contacted my phone numerous times, demanding ransom money. I strongly advise you to stop and return my boy safely before it gets any worse!”