Gruden: Redskins 'fully anticipate' Cousins returning in 2017

The Washington Redskins have a major decision to make for the second time in as many offseasons, and the mere possibility that Kirk Cousins could end up elsewhere will create plenty of questions heading in.

While team officials presumably still have to determine the best way to get him back under contract, head coach Jay Gruden is confident the young quarterback will remain with the team next season.

"We fully anticipate Kirk coming back," Gruden said Tuesday, according to Mike Jones of The Washington Post.

Washington will almost certainly look to negotiate a long-term extension with Cousins' representatives ahead of free agency. If the two sides are again unable to come to terms, using the franchise tag for a second consecutive year would become a realistic possibility.

Either way, barring a massive trade offer from another team desperate to solve its quarterback issues, it would be stunning to see Cousins playing for another team in 2017.

The Redskins finished the regular season ranked third in total yards and 12th in scoring due largely to a career-best season from the former fourth-round pick. Cousins will play in his first Pro Bowl later this week after completing 67 percent of his passes for 4,917 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.