DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - Kirk Cousins knows a thing or two about being franchise tagged. He played under the tag with the Washington Redskins in 2016 and 2017 before departing for the Minnesota Vikings in free agency in 2018.
Cousins initially signed a three-year, $84 million deal with Minnesota before agreeing to a two-year, $66 million extension this offseason.
Because of his previous experience playing under the tag, Cousins is the perfect person to offer Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott some advice while his agent continues to negotiate an extension with the Joneses.
Prescott will make $31.4 million if he were to play under the tag this season.
"Anybody who I run into who's been franchise tagged, we have one on our team this year in Anthony Harris, I believe the franchise tag can be your friend," Cousins said on ESPN on Thursday night. "I don't think it's something to be disappointed with. I think it enables you to be well compensated, and deservedly so, for the upcoming season. Then, I always say the cream will rise to the top. If you're good enough, the cream's going to rise to the top, and you're going to get compensated the way you want to. Sometimes it doesn't happen as quickly as you would like, but if you deserve it, and you've earned it, it's going to happen. So you've just got to stay the course and stay patient. Certainly in my journey, it all worked out. I wouldn't go back and change a thing.
"So my message to Dak, when I saw him midseason last year, was, 'Hey, whatever happens, don't be afraid of the tag. It can be your friend, and you can use it to your advantage.'"
The Cowboys and Prescott's agent Todd France have until July 15 to reach an agreement on a long-term deal.
