The Redskins have no plans to let Kirk Cousins leave before the 2016 season, and tagging the quarterback is one way to ensure that won't happen.
That means the team will use either its franchise or transition tag on Cousins before the March 1 deadline, ESPN reported Friday.
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The move has been expected and leaves open the possibility that the two sides might reach agreement on a long-term deal before the July 15 deadline to get one done entering next season.
If Cousins and the team can't reach a multiyear agreement by then, he would stand to make about $20 million in 2016 under the franchise tag. The Washington Post reported Thursday that the quarterback — who made $660,000 last season in the final year of his rookie contract — would not have a problem with being tagged.
Of course, that means the two parties would have to go through the same dance again next offseason, though circumstances may change at that point depending on Cousins' performance in his second season starting.
The 27-year-old had the best season of his four-year career in 2015, completing 69.8 percent of his passes for 4,166 yards with 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. That showing sealed the fate of former franchise quarterback Robert Griffin III, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, who was inactive for all but one game last season. He, of course, will be playing elsewhere in 2016.
