Kirk Cousins of the Washington Redskins throws a pass in the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Thursday, Sep. 24, 2015 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Credit: Jim McIsaac
WASHINGTON — Kirk Cousins says he has signed the franchise tender from the Washington Redskins, giving the quarterback a one-year deal worth nearly $20 million.
On Thursday, two days after the Redskins placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Cousins, he tweeted out a photo of himself with pen in hand.
Cousins wrote: “I’m told this is the final step in making it officially official.”
The Redskins’ move allowed Cousins to negotiate with other teams, which would have needed to send two first-round draft picks to Washington to sign the QB. But he rendered all of that moot by quickly accepting the tender.
Cousins helped the Redskins win the NFC East with a breakthrough performance last season, his fourth in the NFL but first as a full-time starter.
Cousins and Washington have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term contract.
