Since Kyle Shanahan was hired to become the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, there has been plenty of chatter regarding the chances that quarterback Kirk Cousins finds himself in a 49ers uniform in the future.
The notion isn’t far-fetched. The Washington Redskins have yet to give Cousins a long term deal, instead putting him on the franchise tag for a second consecutive season. The 49ers, on the other hand, have plenty of salary cap space. Additionally, Cousins and Shanahan developed a solid relationship when Shanahan was the offensive coordinator with the Redskins during the first two seasons of Cousins’ career.
Redskins reporter John Keim joined The Audible on 1050 Wednesday to discuss the state of Cousins’ contract negotiations with the Redskins and the possibility that he ends up with the 49ers down the line.
“There’s not a lot of optimism, especially on Cousins’ side that anything will get done by the deadline,” Keim said. “Right now, it seems to be in the same place as it was several months ago, barring some last minute change in thinking on both sides.”
The deadline Keim is referring to is July 17. Cousins and the Redskins have until Monday to negotiate a long term contract. If no deal materializes by then, Cousins will play the 2017-18 season under the franchise tag for slightly less than $24 million.
“[Cousins] has always been in the same ‘prove it’ mode,” Keim said. “He’s a rare guy who I think is comfortable playing in this situation. A lot of guys get frightened by the franchise tag, [Cousins] is embracing it.”
If both sides don’t agree to a long term contract by Monday, Cousins will become a free agent next offseason and the 49ers, with Shanahan, are looked upon by many as a logical destination for Cousins.
“I think he’d be very comfortable [with the 49ers] because of Kyle Shanahan,” Keim said. “Let’s say he’s determined to leave the Redskins – I don’t see why he’d go anywhere else than San Francisco.”
To listen to Keim’s full interview on The Audible, click below. Skip to the 3:20 mark to listen to why Keim thinks Cousins would be comfortable playing for the 49ers.