Report: Redskins considering franchise tag for Cousins in order to trade him

The Washington Redskins may not be willing to allow quarterback Kirk Cousins the freedom of reaching free agency.

The team is considering placing the franchise tag on Cousins in order to trade him so they can recover some of the compensation they sent to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for Alex Smith, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Cousins is set to hit free agency when the new league year opens March 14, and he's expected to be the marquee signal caller, and player, on the open market.

The Redskins sent a third-round pick in the 2018 draft and cornerback Kendall Fuller to the Chiefs for Smith earlier in the week. The franchise tag would allow them to explore a trade with a number of teams expected to be interested in Cousins.

Related: Ranking the top 6 destinations for Cousins after Redskins landed Smith

Cousins' franchise tag is expected to be worth approximately $34.5 million against the cap in 2018, presenting a risk to the Redskins should Cousins delay signing or cause a hangup in any potential trade.