Report: Redskins' top pre-deadline offer to Cousins was $16M per year

Prior to last Friday's deadline to sign franchise-tagged players, the Washington Redskins' best offer to quarterback Kirk Cousins was worth $16 million per season with about $24 million guaranteed, reports NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

The two sides were not expected to land a long-term deal this offseason. Cousins will be paid $19.95 million under the franchise tag this season and work to prove his long-term worth, hoping for a better offer next offseason.

The proposed $16 million per season would have give Cousins the 22nd-highest amount of average annual salary, the same amount as Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Cousins' salary under the tag this season ranks 12th in annual average, sandwiched between Drew Brees ($20M) and Ryan Tannehill ($19.25M).

The 27-year-old had the 10th-most passing yards in the league last season and ranked fifth in passer rating among quarterbacks with at least 300 attempts while leading his team to a division title.