Kirk Cousins spoke publicly Tuesday for the first time since a league-imposed deadline passed without the quarterback netting a long-term agreement with the Washington Redskins.
Speaking on 106.7 The Fan in D.C., the quarterback explained his side of the negotiations, confirming what Redskins president Bruce Allen claimed in a statement on Monday, that Cousins' camp never responded with a counter-offer after he proposed a deal that would have made Cousins the second highest-paid player by average per year in NFL history.
"Up until a week ago, I was praying over whether we should send them an offer," Cousins said, adding that the two sides were closer than the public would believe to reaching a deal. "I just felt peace about not making an offer and putting it in the team's court," he added.
Absent a multi-year contract, Cousins will now play the 2017 season on a franchise tag that will pay him $23.9 million. The quarterback said he's comfortable betting on himself for a second year as he would like to use the next six months to "get more information about the organization."
The Redskins have undergone significant changes since the close of the 2016 season. Gone are weapons DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. His former offensive coordinator is now coaching the Los Angeles Rams, and general manager Scot McCloughan has since been fired and replaced with former player Doug Williams as the team's new senior vice president of player personnel.
Despite the turbulence, Cousins' reiterated his intention to remain in Washington.
"It has always been my first choice to be with the Redskins," Cousins said.