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Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Quarterback-needy teams don't often see a proven commodity as a free agent during the offseason. But Washington Redskins gunslinger Kirk Cousins might be just that in 2017. Apparently it isn't a lock that he returns to the franchise. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Saturday that if Cousins is available, the San Francisco 49ers "would pursue him as hard as they've pursued" former Redskins and current Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
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NFL Network's Mike Silver reported this week that Shanahan is "almost certain" to accept the 49ers' offer to fill its head coaching vacancy.
Cousins, 28, completed 406-of-606 passes for a career-high 4,917 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 2016. He operated as the franchise player on a $20 million contract. In 2015, Cousins completed a league-best 69.8 percent of his throws. He has nine rushing touchdowns in the last two seasons.
If the Redskins place the franchise tag on him again this season, he'll earn $23.94 million. The team will likely have to give him one of the fattest contracts in league history, or let him test the free agency market, if it doesn't pursue the franchise tag avenue. If the Redskins tag Cousins in 2018, it would cost $34.48 million. He could go to any team after that season.
The 49ers could use its No. 2 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft in part of a trade package to acquire Cousins, even if he is tagged. Shanahan served as the Redskins' offensive coordinator from 2010 to 2013. Cousins and Robert Griffin III joined the team in 2012.
On Jan. 2, Mike Jones of the Washington Post reported that Gruden "praised" Cousins' improvements, but wants the quarterback to improve on "seeing coverages and making off-script plays to take game to next level."
The Redskins [8-7-1] narrowly missed the playoffs this season and lost 19-10 in Week 17 to the New York Giants. Cousins led the team to a 4-2 start.
