If they franchise him again im sure there is something in the CBA where he can create some type of leverage and force the Redskins' hand and force a trade or become a free agent one way or the other. The Redskins cant just fucking hold the guys career hostage, thats not why the franchise tag was implemented. If they try to do it again the NFL will step in and force the 2 sides to come to an agreement because it is just bad optics for the league.
Snyder gives no fucks, but its just bad for business.
I could understand why the organization would want to pump the breaks on throwing money at QB's given what they have been through in recent history, with drafting RG3, going through the roller coaster ride that was his career, and before that dealing with a carousel of washed up journeymen like McNabb etc, so when Cousins become the starter they wanted a proper evaluation in order to get it right.
The problem is after franchising him the first time, you figure a full season is a pretty good measuring stick as far as what a guys current worth at his position is. Cousins was not only serviceable,he was above average, and more importantly, very sturdy, as he hasnt missed a single start in 3 years. The 49ers looked at Jimmy G after 5 games and threw him 143 million. Why even use the tag in that situation, even if you are looking for a bigger sample size,financially it just doesnt make sense in the current QB market.
Basically, the Redskins thought two full seasons was (or wasn't?) enough time to make an evaluation of Cousins, who was entering the prime years of his career, and ultimately decided to pass with the Alex Smith news. So they paid 45 million dollars over TWO seasons to make the determination that Cousins was NOT their guy at QB going forward? Its fucking mind boggling. Even if they decided that he was their guy, he would be demanding 30 million dollars a year, over at least 4 years (at least 80 million guaranteed), after just receiving 45 million in straight salary the previous two seasons. Both situations are worse than just taking a flier on a guy that showed something and just paid him his fucking 17 million dollars over 3 years he initially asked for. If they would of done that they would have saved over 16 million dollars, and reversed the leverage on Cousins as the team hasnt really made any noise in 3 years with him as the starter and he wouldnt be commanding such a high number in his negotiations for a new contract.
And if he did, THEN they could hit him with the franchise tag. Thats how its supposed to fucking work.
edit: In contrast the 49ers only relinquished a 2nd round pick (which they could most definitely afford given their draft stockpile) in order to secure the rights to offer a franchise type QB a huge contract, which they then did, avoiding franchise tag hell, avoiding the bad mojo it creates as the player feels wanted and secure long term, and will end up being a bargain if Garoppolo plays well the next few years..