WASHINGTON — The Washington Redskins are keeping all their options open at the quarterback position, including possibly trading Robert Griffin III or Kirk Cousins, according to multiple reports.

News first broke Friday that Washington decided to tag Cousins, although as Adam Schefter notes, the organization is still grappling with whether to apply the franchise tag or transition tag.

Moments later, Schefter reported at least two teams have reached out to the Redskins about possibly trading for Griffin, who would need to sign off on a new deal to facilitate any trade.

Griffin is the only quarterback on the roster who currently remains under team control, by virtue of the fifth-year option — valued at $16.15 million — the Redskins picked up last offseason. Griffin would have incentive to work out a new deal if it mean being traded to a favorable destination.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport then added another layer to the equation, reporting the Redskins have not yet ruled out trading Cousins, who is set to become a free agent on March 9. Trading Cousins after applying the franchise tag, in effect, would transfer exclusive negotiating rights with the quarterback over to his new team.

The Redskins have until March 1 to apply either the franchise or transition tag to Cousins.

Washington General Manager Scot McCloughan spoke earlier this week to reporters in Indianapolis about possibly using the franchise tag.

“I would love to do a long-term deal with Kirk,” McCloughan said. “But I’m not going to ruin the organization financially to do it.”

“It’s a business. We’re trying to do what we need to do and he’s trying to get what he needs to get and I respect that,” he added. “I’ve been through this many times in other organizations and it takes a little time. It’s not something you do overnight.”

By leaving all these options open, McCloughan and the Redskins have maximized their leverage in continuing negotiations with Cousins. The threat of a trade diminishes Cousins’ control over his own outcome, which could, in theory, incentivize him to lower his asking price.

Update (3:00 p.m.)

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports the Redskins have not made a decision on whether to tag Cousins, directly contradicting Schefter’s report. Rather, Washington’s current plan is to not use the franchise tag, according to Florio.

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