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Cousins says his future is up to Redskins' decision-makers

The Washington Post / Getty

Kirk Cousins has found himself back in a familiar spot after playing out his one-year franchise tender.

The Washington Redskins quarterback, who took another significant step forward in his development this past season, is tentatively scheduled to hit free agency in March. As unlikely as it may be that he's allowed to hit the open market, Cousins understands that there's only so much he can control looking ahead.

"I'm just staying ready and looking forward to an opportunity," Cousins told Dave Richard of CBS Sports on Wednesday. "I'd love to build something in Washington, we'll see if the decision-makers let that happen."

Cousins and the Redskins will presumably be exchanging numbers for a potential long-term extension in the weeks leading up to the new league year. If the two sides are unable to strike a deal, Washington using the franchise tag for a second consecutive year would become a realistic option.

Considering the confidence head coach Jay Gruden expressed Tuesday, saying that the team "fully anticipates" bringing Cousins back in 2017, Washington can be expected to take one of the two routes in making it happen.

But things could certainly get interesting if the franchise tag is used as a last resort, and another quarterback-needy team swoops in with a trade offer the Redskins can't refuse.

Cousins was one of the league's most productive passers in leading a third-ranked Washington offense this season, completing 67 percent of his passes for 4,917 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

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