Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins: No Deal

ASHBURN, VA — Ever since the Robert Griffin III experiment exploded in their face, the Washington Redskins have thrived under the skills of quarterback Kirk Cousins, the once also-ran who showed he was superior to the wunderkind RGIII, at one time thought to be the future of the franchise. Team owner Dan Snyder never really grasped the concept of Cousins inheriting that mantle, and so the team paid him last season through the franchise tag as opposed to a long-term contract.

Now it'll be that way for a second consecutive season, one that might well be Cousins' final one in Washington. The NFL's deadline for contracts passed 4 p.m. Monday, and no deal was reached with Cousins. As such, he will be paid $24 million next season and then likely shop himself on the free-agent market.

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After Griffin was benched soon before the 2015 season began, Cousins threw for 4,166 and 29 touchdowns. Last season, he threw for 4,917 yards and 25 touchdowns. The league has taken notice, and Cousins should have plenty of suitors if 2017 is another solid year.

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