REDSKINS GIVE COUSINS EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TAG
The Washington Redskins placed their franchise tag on quarterback Kirk Cousins for the second consecutive year, but this time it came with a twist. The Redskins used the exclusive tag, which means it comes with a oneyear guaranteed salary of roughly $24 million. The sides have until July 15 to try to work out a longterm deal. Cousins is not allowed to negotiate with any other team. Under the non-exclusive tag — which the Redskins used last season — Cousins could have tried to swing a deal with a new team, though an outside suitor would
have had to forfeit two firstround draft picks to the Redskins. This keeps Cousins off the free agent market, which opens March 9. Speculation centered around the San Francisco 49ers and his close relationship with new coach Kyle Shanahan as a possible destination. While it’s unsure if the 49ers would have considered giving up a hefty sum for Cousins, this eliminates any chance of that happening, unless the Redskins trade him, which is still an option. But no team would be interested in any deal unless the quarterback first agreed to a long-term contract.
Adrian Peterson will become a free agent after the Minnesota Vikings declined to pick up the star running back’s $18 million contract option. He had been a Viking since 2007.
The New York Jets informed seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback
Darrelle Revis that he will be released, the team announced in a release. Revis, 31, will be an unrestricted free agent starting March 9. He still faces charges of aggravated assault, robbery, conspiracy and making terroristic threats after his alleged role in an altercation in Pittsburgh in February.
All- pro Eric Berry and the Kansas City Chiefs reached a sixyear, $78 million contract ($40 million guaranteed) that will make him the NFL’s richest safety, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person was not authorized to speak publicly since the deal was not yet official. The Chiefs also released running back
Jamaal Charles on Tuesday. Charles has had five 1,000-yard rushing seasons in his nine-year career but was hampered by injuries the last two seasons.