Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden wants some long-term clarity for his team at the game's most important position.
The Redskins have hit starting quarterback Kirk Cousins with the franchise tag in each of the last two offseasons and could do so again in 2018, though it will cost an extraordinary $34.5 million.
If it was up to Gruden, the Redskins would decide on Cousins' future this offseason - one way or another.
"I think something has to be done," Gruden said, according to The Washington Post's Dan Steinberg. "I personally don't want to go through another one-year deal, and just (keep going) one year, one year. I think you want to have a quarterback in here that’s going to be here. And hopefully that is Kirk, and if not, we have to move on and do what we have to do as an organization.
"For the most part, the great quarterbacks are in the same system year in and year out, and are developing in that system. (Teams are) not holding our breath every March and April, waiting for the guy. But if that's the case, that's the case. But we like Kirk and his development. He's played well at times, without a doubt, proven that he’s a good starting NFL quarterback."
Cousins produced his third straight 4,000-yard passing season in 2017, but was unable to lead the Redskins to the postseason.
While Washington has been reluctant to offer Cousins top-tier money, the veteran pivot has the leverage to possibly challenge Matthew Stafford for the NFL's highest-paid player title thanks to the prospect of a third franchise tag.
If the Redskins ultimately allow Cousins to leave, whether through free agency or via trade, a high-stakes bidding war for his services is sure to take place.
